Callum Wilson could be ruled out until mid-April after learning he has suffered a bad hamstring tear.
The 10-goal top scorer was taken off in the 3-2 win over Southampton at St James' Park but the £20million man is now in rehab and the news is a hammer blow to Newcastle's hopes of sealing survival in the next few weeks.
With the transfer window closed, Steve Bruce must now make ends meet with Dwight Gayle, Joelinton and Andy Carroll - but two of his front men both face uncertain futures with now contracts agreed for the duo at this stage.
Bruce said: "Unfortunately with Callum it's a tear to his hamstring and it could be six to eight weeks.
"To lose your striker is a bitter pill to swallow.
"We hoped it was two to three weeks but unfortunately it's worse than that, we will be without him for six to eight weeks.
"It is a bad tear.
"It takes time and when you are pace and power like he is Callum, the rehab has to be spot on.
"Let's hope we can cope with it.
"Let's hope others can step up to mark and can grasp it."
Bruce also revealed that Javier Manquillo was out with ankle ligament damage for six weeks and hopes that Fabian Schar will appear again this season.
Bruce, speaking at his pre-match Press conference to preview the Chelsea game said: "Hopefully not.
"But it won't be far off.
"He's had an operation on his knee on Tuesday.
"Knowing Fab he will try to get back but it's eight weeks."
