Steve Bruce admits Andy Carroll was edging closer to being named in his starting XI before being hit with a groin strain.
The nine-times England international was pulled out of the squad to face Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend but is in contention for the trip to his old club West Ham United in a week's time.
If anything his withdrawal from the squad for Sunday's clash is a precautionary measure.
Bruce said today: "With Andy it's not his ankle thankfully.
"Everyone can pick up those type of niggles especially when you sit on the bench for a while.
"He has stretched and over-stretched.
"It's fortunate it is not his ankle."
Bruce could draft in Yoshinori Muto for the encounter with Wolves with Dwight Gayle also pushing for a start.
Bruce added: "There is no one more disappointed than Andy.
"He was getting himself in a position, where the more he trained, getting on against Man United and Chelsea, he was manoeuvring in to a position where he could start, it’s disappointing but we have to carry on."
