It had all been going so well. After leading Newcastle United out as stand-in skipper, Kieran Trippier scored another trademark free-kick against Aston Villa at St James' Park.
That strike ultimately ended up securing three precious points for Newcastle, in a game the Magpies may even have lost not so long ago, but it came at a cost after Trippier suffered a fractured bone in his foot.
It is a body blow for Newcastle. Trippier is not the sole figure behind Newcastle's recent unbeaten run, of course, but the 31-year-old has helped to inspire a turnaround.