Jonjo Shelvey is facing further assessment on a hernia injury that is set to lead to an operation.
The midfielder is already ruled out of the clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers today and Newcastle will start what could be a long hard winter without him.
Shelvey will be sidelined for at least four weeks.
It leaves Steve Bruce with a selection poser with Sean Longstaff fully fit but new signing Jeff Hendrick currently getting a run in the side with the former Aston Villa boss eager to play him in a central role.
Speaking about Shelvey’s injury, Bruce said: “He's a very good player and most players wouldn't be playing with the injury that he's played with and we'll probably address that over the next two or three weeks."
