Eddie Howe has three injury concerns ahead of Newcastle United’s Premier League clash with Tottenham tomorrow.
The Magpies host the north Londoners at St James’ Park in one of two midweek top-flight fixtures, with the other being Manchester City’s trip to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham.
Thomas Frank’s Spurs are looking for a response after a disappointing week where they were thrashed in the north London derby, threw away two leads against Paris Saint-Germain in a 5-3 Champions League defeat, and then beaten at home by the Cottagers 2-1 over the weekend.
Those three losses leave Frank needing a big performance on Tyneside from his players to fire them back up the table, where they currently sit 12th.
As for Newcastle, they are 13th, and a win for either side would lift them into the top half.
On the injury front, the Magpies are sweating over three star names.
They are Nick Pope, who missed the 3-1 win over Everton at the weekend, Sven Botman, who has been struck down by another injury, and summer signing Yoane Wissa, who still has not made his debut for the club since his move from Brentford.
First-choice goalkeeper Pope was missing from the squad that travelled to Goodison Park as he nursed a groin injury.
Speaking on his No1, Howe said: "No further update from Saturday. He is probably one of a number of players that we will analyse early this week and try and get a proper diagnosis."
As for Botman, who is struggling with an issue in his lower back, Howe said: "Sven is going to see a specialist in the next couple of days just to get a definitive opinion on whether he needs an injection or whether he is able to rest for a few days and then resume training. So we'll wait and see."
In terms of a potential return for Wissa, Howe said that while the striker had returned to training, this week’s game will come too soon for the Congolese international.
"[Wissa] participated in an 11v11 training game while we were at Everton and I think he will have another one at some stage this week. We will see how close he is."
Newcastle will also be without right-back Kieran Trippier, who is out with a thigh injury, and back-up striker William Osula, who is ruled out with an ankle problem.
