Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter cautiously optimistic about Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury - 'Hopefully not too bad'

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter hopes "not too much damage is done" after young winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was injured against Newcastle Falcons.

The 20-year-old has impressed in the Gallagher Premiership this season, catching the eye of both England and Wales due to an eligibility to play for either country.

Feyi-Waboso showed why he is so in demand by taking just 35 seconds to score a remarkable try against Newcastle.

But he had to be taken off 10 minutes later after picking up an injury.

"Hopefully Manny's not too bad because he was saying he was feeling something and couldn't open up," Baxter told BBC Radio Devon.

"But hopefully we've got him off before too much damage is done."

Exeter’s injury woes did not end there. Feyi-Waboso’s replacement, Will Haydon-Wood, also lasted just 10 minutes on the pitch.

"I think Will said he could feel a pop and a tear so something's obviously gone for Will, which is obviously a bit of a shame," Baxter said.

"We've got Olly Woodburn to come back and Rory O'Loughlin's up and running now, so we have got players who can come in, but it's going to be a little bit of a challenging week."

Despite Exeter’s superb start against Newcastle through Feyi-Waboso’s early try, the Chiefs soon found themselves behind as tries from Jamie Blamire and Matias Moroni put the Falcons in front.

The hosts held onto their lead for the majority of the match, but Exeter finally broke down Newcastle’s stubborn defence, allowing Josh Iosefa-Scott to score the winning try in the 69th minute. The match ended 20-14 to Exeter.

"We had two very early injuries that could have really disrupted us," Baxter said.

"When you double up in an injury in the back three that can sometimes really challenge you and I thought the guys dealt with that part of it really, really well.

"Without doubt we could have been looking around going 'what's happening here, not only are we here and we're losing, we're picking up injuries'.

"To be fair we just got on with things, and that's a great credit to the lads, they got on with things, they were good, they worked hard and what more can you ask."

It was Exeter’s first away win in 13 months, with the result propelling them up to third place in the Premiership table.

Meanwhile, Newcastle remain rock bottom of the standings, with seven losses in seven games.

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