Callum Wilson's hamstring injury is a 'big blow' to Newcastle United.
That is the verdict of BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson who believes the Magpies will now be relieved they have a 'bit of breathing space above the bottom three'.
Newcastle opened up a 10-point gap between themselves and the Premier League's relegation zone with a gutsy 3-2 win over Southampton last Saturday, despite being reduced to nine men.
However, the win came at a cost for Steve Bruce's side as not only did Jeff Hendrick pick up a suspension for his red card, but Javi Manquillo, Fabian Schar and Callum Wilson all picked up serious injuries.
Manquillo has damaged his ankle ligaments while Schar could miss the rest of the season after undergoing an operation on his knee.
But it is the torn hamstring picked up by Wilson, that has ruled him out for six to eight weeks, that is the biggest cause for concern.
The 28-year-old's 10-goal haul has not only led for calls to be recalled to the England squad but has also accounted for 40 per cent of Newcastle's league goals this term.
And in his latest predictions column, Lawrenson has addressed the injury concern over Wilson while backing Chelsea to emerge with a 2-0 win when the two sides meet at Stamford Bridge on Monday evening.
"Callum Wilson's injury is a big blow to Newcastle, and they will miss him for the next few weeks, but at least they have a bit of breathing space above the bottom three after their wins over Everton and Southampton," Lawrenson told BBC Sport.
"Chelsea look solid under new boss Thomas Tuchel, so I am backing them to get another clean sheet here.
"He is still working out how to get the best out of his attackers, but I think they will find a way through the Magpies."
