Once undroppable Fernandez could struggle to regain Newcastle starting berth

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Newcastle United have improved immensely at the back of late.

The Magpies recorded a 2-0 victory over Burnley on Tuesday night in the Premier League (BBC Sport)- which was their second straight clean sheet.

Rafa Benitez’s side have conceded just three goals in the last six league matches, which has served as an ideal basis from which to pick up precious points.

The Toon Army are now up to 13th in the table and fans are looking ahead rather than over their shoulder, especially with a decent run of fixtures to come (West Ham away, Everton at home, Bournemouth away).

The likes of Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar and Florian Lejeune have all stepped up in recent weeks, as have holding midfielders Sean Longstaff and Isaac Hayden.

The defenders’ form could make it hard for Federico Fernandz to regain his place in the side.

Unlucky Fernandez

Fernandez had been nursing a hip injury and has not featured for the club since he limped out against Watford back in December (as reported on by Chronicle Live).

The Argentinian has been on the bench a few times but has not made it onto the field.

He has been pictured training, but was mysteriously nowhere to be seen last night against Burnley as Newcastle’s defensive trio impressed again.

At one point, Fernandez was Newcastle’s most consistent defender and was making his £6 million fee (BBC Sport) look like a snip every weekend.

It’s hard to see how Rafa Benitez, who has previously worked with the player at Napoli, can possibly get him back into the side when he’s ready.

He can certainly count himself unlucky, but he surely cannot walk straight back in with Newcastle looking so solid.