Newcastle United will be without Allan Saint-Maximin for their big League Cup clash at Brentford.
The game is also likely to come too early for Martin Dubravka meaning Steve Bruce must also weigh up whether to stick with Karl Darlow in goal or use League Cup keeper Mark Gillespie for the last eight tie as he has in the previous three rounds.
Saint-Maximin has been missing since the 2-0 win at Crystal Palace when he was injured in training with Bruce claiming then he'd suffered a calf injury.
Bruce did not specify the reason for his recent absence, but when asked if Saint-Maximin was available he simply replied: "No."
The Toon boss and the club have left it to players to declare reasons why they have been absent in recent weeks.
United must run checks on Federico Fernandez and Isaac Hayden ahead of the trip to the capital with both suffering from Covid recently.
Bruce said: "Unfortunately I have to monitor what I've got.
"Isaac went in at centre-back and I can't see that situation improving, there's a problem straight away.
"Whatever we put out we are certainly capable of performing better.
"I am disappointed as we gave ourselves a platform to build on after Crystal Palace and West Brom."
