Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has delivered a mixed injury update on four players ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
The Magpies were dealt a double injury blow in the 1-0 home defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday, with both Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy forced off either side of half time.
Isak was given the all-clear to return to Newcastle's starting lineup against his former club Dortmund after recovering from a groin problem, but the Swedish striker limped off inside the opening 15 minutes with a recurrence of the same injury.
Murphy, meanwhile, was withdrawn in the 65th minute after dislocating his shoulder just three-and-a-half minutes after coming on as substitute.
Both players are now facing spells on the sidelines, and Howe has suggested that Murphy is set for a longer period out compared to fellow attacker Isak.
Discussing the injuries sustained by Isak and Murphy at a press conference on Friday morning, Howe said: "Very different injuries, Alex has got a groin injury which we don't think is serious, but it's a reoccurrence of the one he suffered playing for Sweden so we need to assess that.
"He's have a scan today but we don't suspect that is going to be too bad.
"Jacob's is totally different it's dislocation of his shoulder. It's not clear what we're going to do. Jacob is going to see a specialist today for his shoulder. We'll know more on him later today.
"You can play with these injuries or the other side is he needs an operation and he'll be out for some time."
Howe added: "We are a bit light in attacking areas. We have a deeper squad this season, but if you get injuries in certain areas then suddenly you can look a bit stretched."
Newcastle will also be without centre-back Sven Botman and midfielder Elliot Anderson for Saturday's match as they continue to recover from respective knee and back injuries.
Botman has not played for the Magpies since scoring in the 8-0 Premier League win at Sheffield United at the end of September, but it is thought that the Dutchman could be in a position to return towards the middle of next month.
As for Anderson, he sustained a back problem before the midweek defeat to Dortmund and Howe has revealed that the 20-year-old could be sidelined until the New Year.
"Sven is improving he's out on the grass," said Howe. "He's not training with us yet but we're hoping we can get him back pretty quickly. We have to be careful with the injury he's got.
"Elliot looks like he's going to be out for around eight weeks with a back problem which is a pretty bizarre injury. I'm struggling to think of any others."
Meanwhile, Howe has revealed that Sandro Tonali has a "high chance" of facing Wolves as Newcastle have yet to receive official confirmation of the midfielder's 10-month ban for illegal betting.
Newcastle currently sit sixth in the Premier League table and could move to within one point of the top four if they come out on top against a Wolves side who sit five points and six places further back in 12th. body check tags ::
