Newcastle United winger Anthony Elanga has avoided a serious injury after being taken off on a stretcher during the team’s pre-season friendly win over Valencia on Saturday.New Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle said after the match that he hoped the 24-year-old would be fit to start next week, when Newcastle have pre-season games against Everton, Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg.In the first half, Elanga was on the receiving end of a reckless challenge from Valencia left-back Jose Gaya, whose left boot connected high on Elanga’s right leg. Gaya received a straight red card for the tackle.The Sweden international appeared in considerable pain on the pitch as his team-mates, led by striker William Osula, confronted Gaya. The challenge also sparked an angry reaction from Jaissle, taking charge of his first game since being announced as Eddie Howe’s replacement on Wednesday, with the German shouting at the assistant referee and fourth official.Elanga was treated on the pitch at the Mestalla Stadium before being taken off on a stretcher.Players confronted each other after Gaya’s challenge (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Club sources with knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, indicated that Elanga was walking after being taken off and was dealing with a shin contusion. In his post-match press conference Jaissle said that Elanga “seems to be OK”.