Newcastle fear Callum Wilson has suffered a torn calf muscle and will be sidelined for a period of months.
Sportsmail also understands that the injury picked up by Allan Saint-Maximin during Monday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United was calf related, while Ryan Fraser has a hamstring problem.
But it is the loss of top goalscorer Wilson that will be felt the strongest if, as expected, he misses the entirety of the winter schedule.
Eddie Howe said after the game that he did not yet know the nature and extent of the injuries which forced Wilson and scorer Saint-Maximin to retire hurt. Both, however, are said to be calf issues, although Saint-Maximin’s is less serious.
To add to the injury list, we understand Fraser is nursing a hamstring complaint and that, too, would be a blow for Howe after he put in arguably his best performance in a Newcastle shirt against Manchester United.
Newcastle are also dealing with a Covid outbreak in their camp and Howe will count up the number of players he has available ahead of Thursday’s trip to Everton. It would appear likely that the Magpies will request a postponement.
Howe said on Monday night: ‘I believe it’s 13 plus a goalkeeper to have enough players for a game. We’re going to be dangerously close to that number.’
Javier Manquillo is now suspended and, with Jamal Lewis and Matt Ritchie also sidelined, Newcastle are without the three players who have appeared at left-back this season.
They named only eight of the nine permitted substitutes against United, and that included two goalkeepers on the bench.