Newcastle secured a vital victory over Southampton, but it came at a cost.
The Magpies ended the game with nine men, but defended brilliantly to hold on.
Jeff Hendrick’s red card put things in doubt shortly after James Ward-Prowse’s stunning free kick. Then things became even more difficult when Fabian Schar was stretchered off.
That forced Newcastle down to nine men, as Steve Bruce had already made his three substitutions.
Two were forced by injury, with Callum Wilson and Javi Manquillo limping off in the first half.
Newcastle’s two-man deficit made the win all the more impressive, but it could have long-term implications.
Bruce confirms triple injury blow
Following the game, Bruce said: “It looks as if we’ve picked up an awful injury with Manquillo.
“Fab Schär looks like a bad knee injury and Callum Wilson now has a hamstring injury too.”
Things don’t sound good for Manquillo or Schar.
This is a huge blow for Newcastle, who went into the game with Southampton with defensive issues already.
The Magpies were without Federico Fernandez and Jamaal Lascelles due to injury, whilst Ciaran Clark was unavailable due to his partner giving birth.
Manquillo’s injury leaves Bruce with just one fit right-back, Emil Krafth. That comes just days after DeAndre Yedlin was allowed to leave the club.
But the biggest injury blow could be Callum Wilson. The striker has been our best player this season, and our main source of goals.
Bruce can make do and mend at the back, but there’s no one else at the club who can do what Wilson does.
Here’s hoping he isn’t out of action too long.
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