Anthony Elanga stretchered off in Newcastle friendly as horror challenge sparks touchline brawl

Anthony Elanga was taken off on a stretcher on Saturday evening after being on the receiving end of a reckless challenge.

The Newcastle winger was clattered by Valencia’s Jose Luis Gaya, with the tackle sparking a touchline brawl in Spain.

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Elanga started in what was Matthias Jaissle’s first game as Magpies manager following Eddie Howe’s resignation.

But after 39 minutes and with his side 1-0 down, Jaissle saw one of his stars left writhing on the ground in pain.

Sweden international Elanga received the ball on the byline and neatly knocked the ball inside Valencia’s Gaya.

However, the left back slid in, catching the Newcastle forward on the lower leg in what was a horror tackle.

Instantly, the Magpies bench cleared and some substitutes rushed toward the pitch, with players also sprinting over.

Jaissle made a studs-up movement to the linesmen, while four Newcastle players quickly squared up to Gaya.

A scuffle then broke out on the touchline, as both teams pushed and shoved, while Elanga remained lying on the grass.

Following some treatment, Elanga was eventually put on a stretcher and left the pitch with the medical team.

Thankfully, the Daily Mail have since reported that Elanga has not suffered a serious injury and that he is ‘up and walking’ with a bruised shin.

Jacob Murphy took the place of his injured teammate, with Newcastle eventually turning the game around, going from 1-0 down at half time to win 2-1 thanks to two goals from Yoane Wissa.

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Newcastle nightmare

As if Newcastle’s summer hadn’t been bad enough, their £55million winger was flattened just days before the season.

They kickstart their Premier League campaign on August 23 when they face Liverpool at St. James’ Park.

The blow for Elanga comes hours after the Magpies sold their captain, Bruno Guimaraes, to Arsenal for £75m.

Guimaraes became the third star to leave the club this summer, following Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon out the door.

Toon also lost their manager in Howe, so recent months have been tough for the club, with Elanga’s issue another problem.

So far, pre-season hasn’t gone as planned either, drawing to Gateshead and losing 4-1 to Bristol City.

They do still have three friendlies to get ready for the top-flight campaign, with a clash against Everton next on August 12.

Newcastle also face Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg before the new season kicks off in two weeks’ time.