Eddie Howe has been forced to take a new year dip into the January window for a striker following news that Callum Wilson's calf injury is expected to keep him out "for months".
That was the immediate assessment of Howe after the 1-1 draw with Manchester United but Newcastle's backroom team have been looking into striker replacements in the last 24 hours.
The Magpies have been whittling down their wanted list to defensive targets but Howe will need to look further up the pitch too after a disastrous night injury wise on Monday.
Newcastle at least have Dwight Gayle ready to play while Joelinton's confidence and form should make it easier than before to push him back into the frontline.
But the reality is United's battle against the drop could be over either way by the time Wilson plays again, Howe said: "Callum's injury looks severe, weeks maybe months.
"I feared for him when he went down with nobody around him. A pull, not a knock."
The news on Allan Saint-Maximin is not believed to be so bad and the winger could be back in contention soon.
But Howe has been presented with an unexpected issue going into the window.
Newcastle ran the rule over Luton's 6ft 4in striker Elijah Adebayo recently but can expect a premium on any forward they move for in the January window.
Flamengo star Gabriel Barbosa has also been linked with Newcastle but has been on the club's radar for three years and been checked out by Steve Nickson on South American scouting trips.
There are options within the club but they may be deemed a gamble given the severity of Newcastle's survival situation.
Youngster Elliot Anderson has been on the bench but can play as a striker if needed although he is regarded as a number 10 by reserve team staff.
Nineteen-year-old striker Dylan Stephenson has netted 11 goals in 16 matches for the Under-23s but is still a raw youngster.
