Jonjo Shelvey has been ruled out of Newcastle United's crunch games with Leicester City and Manchester United.
The midfielder suffered a hamstring injury last weekend and is likely to be replaced by fit-again Sean Longstaff for the encounter at the King Power Stadium.
Longstaff is back from an ankle problem, but revealing the blow for Shelvey, Steve Bruce said: "Shelvey has a problem with a hamstring - he's out.
"He's got a grade two hamstring and that's a couple of weeks.
"It was in the game last week.
"He has been hampered with it for a long time, last year too, it's not 100% right.
"I do think he's been playing with it.
"We will now take this opportunity to make sure it's right."
Bruce was also asked about Matt Ritchie's current fitness status, he said: " Matt Ritchie now weeks into his, and he's making progress.
"He's not too far away.
"Allan (Saint-Maximin) and Andy (Carroll) are OK."
But Longstaff's return will bolster his options at Leicester, he added: "Sean Longstaff is OK, he's trained all week and he's OK.
"He has had a wonderful rise.
"Then he's had a nasty injury. It will be good to see him on Sunday."
