Steve Bruce has been rocked by injury withdrawals from his squad to face Watford tomorrow.
United must take on Xisco Munoz's Hornets without summer signing Joe Willock while Jamaal Lascelles is also wiped off the squad list for the flight to Hertfordshire.
Willock picked up a freak injury in training and has been seen wearing a protective boot but the damage is not thought to be long-term.
Bruce, speaking before the team flight to the capital, said: "We have a couple of problems
"Joe Willock picked up a training injury this week and Jamaal Lascelles hurt his thigh.
"So they go on to the injured list which makes it about five or six of our first team so not that healthy I have to say.
"We're disappointed with Joe's.
"Joe's was a complete fluke he kicked the ground and damaged his toe.
"He will not make this week and it's touch and go whether he makes next week as well.
"Jamaal's is a muscle and it happened late on in the game, he tried yesterday and no go, it will be another couple of weeks."
Bruce admitted his squad was already looking wafer thin with just half a dozen games gone.
He also has Callum Wilson, Paul Dummett, Freddie Woodman and Jonjo Shelvey missing.
He said: "Look you have a squad of 25 but when six are out it's not that great is it?
"It's how we adapt to it and we get on with it.
"That's why we have the squad and let's hope we pick a team to get that right."
When asked when other injured players will be back, Bruce said: "The two-week break up until Tottenham for a lot of them.
"It is difficult enough."
How should Newcastle line-up v Watford based on this news? Pick your XI below:
