Danny Welbeck stretchered off and left needing oxygen after suffering back injury in Brighton’s clash at Newcastle

DANNY Welbeck has been stretchered off after suffering a back injury against Newcastle.

The Brighton star required oxygen after falling to the turf during Saturday’s 1-0 win at St James Park.

Danny Welbeck suffered a back injury late in Brighton’s game with Newcastle

The Seagulls striker was given oxygen by medics as he was lifted from the field

ReutersWelback had put the Seagulls into a first-half lead[/caption]

The 33-year-old was treated on the field for several minutes

Welbeck opened the scoring as the Seagulls targeted back-to-back league wins.

But his day was cut short after a painful incident in the 77th minute.

The former Arsenal star fell to the floor following an innocuous coming together with Toon centre-back Fabian Schar.

He appeared to tweak something in his back, hitting the deck before immediately calling for medical staff.

Welbeck required oxygen as he was stretchered from the field, before being replaced by Jan Paul van Hecke.

He received a standing ovation from both fans as he was carried off.

The 33-year-old has been enjoying a stunning start to the new campaign.

Welbeck has already netted as many goals in the league this season as he managed in the entire of last term.

After his strike on Saturday, he now has five – as many as he managed across 29 league games in 2023/24.

In the form of his life, the ex-England ace showed off his finishing with Brighton’s first shot of the game.

He chested down Lewis Dunk’s long free-kick forward, playing a one-two with Georginio Rutter, before holding off Tino Livramento and poking home.

It proved to be a frustrating afternoon on home soil for Toon, who lost for the first time at St James Park since January.

Anthony Gordon and Aleksander Isak both came close to snatching a point for Eddie Howe’s men.

But heroics from Brighton’s stopper Bart Verbruggen saw the points head back to the South Coast.