Newcastle are facing a staggering injury crisis for Chelsea's visit on Saturday.
Influential captain Kieran Trippier has withdrawn from the England squad due to a "personal matter", throwing his involvement at St James' Park into slight doubt as he joins as many are 12 first-team players potentially sidelined for the weekend.
Newcastle are now top of the Premier League injury table and went into the international break with back-to-back 2-0 defeats, first to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and then at Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Trippier at full-time approached supporters in the crowd at the Vitality Stadium who were venting their anger at recent form, defending the result by repeatedly responding: "How many injuries have we got?"
Fellow defenders Sven Botman, Dan Burn and Matt Targett could be out until 2024, while forgotten man Javier Manquillo has no return date in sight.
Newcastle's midfield has been decimated. Jacob Murphy is also not expected back before the turn of the year, Elliot Anderson will not be seen for at least a month, while Miguel Almiron, Harvey Barnes and Sean Longstaff are doubts for the visit of Chelsea.
Bruno Guimaraes has served a one-game ban for picking up five yellow cards, so is available.
Striker Callum Wilson is another who faces weeks on the sidelines, but Newcastle are hopeful Alexander Isak will be fit to return up front this weekend, meaning Anthony Gordon will not be required to again deputise in a false nine role which failed on the south coast.
Lewis Hall is on loan from Chelsea so will be ineligible to face his parent club despite his move expected to be made permanent for £35million at the end of the season. Saudi-backed Newcastle signed Hall on an initial loan deal to avoid falling foul of Financial Fair Play regulations.
Sandro Tonali has a 10-month ban from football due to committing betting offences before joining from AC Milan for £70m, and will not be available until August 2024.
Chelsea, meanwhile, hope to welcome back new signings Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia to potentially make their debuts this weekend. Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka and Ben Chilwell will be out and Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto are injury doubts.
Captain Reece James was one of eight senior players to stay with Mauricio Pochettino’s call-up during the international break in a bid to get his body fit. He said this weekend: “I haven’t felt this good in a long time. I definitely feel my strength and fitness building up again. Recently, I’ve been able to play consistently.
