Newcastle will be without Joe Willock and Jamaal Lascelles for their next two Premier League games due to injury.
That’s a huge blow for the Magpies, who face must-win games away to Watford and Wolves before the next international break.
There has been fear that both players would miss this weekend’s trip to Vicarage Road.
Joe Willock has been pictured wearing a protective boot and wasn’t seen in Newcastle United’s official training photos. Neither was the captain.
Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie states that Willock injured his foot in training, while Lascelles picked up a thigh issue in the 1-1 draw with Leeds.
That means Steve Bruce will be forced into two changes when they face Watford.
Fortunately, Newcastle do have centre-back options. Both Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar have been on the bench for Newcastle’s last two games. Lascelles’ injury may even force Bruce to start with a back four.
Willock’s injury poses a bigger problem for Bruce. In terms of a like-for-like replacement, Jeff Hendrick seems like the only option.
An alternative is playing Miguel Almiron centrally, allowing either Jacob Murphy or Ryan Fraser to start out wide. That would be preferable for fans, who haven’t been impressed with Hendrick since he joined the Magpies last summer.