Newcastle United are prepared to be without the services of star attacker Anthony Gordon for the visit of Chelsea in the EFL Cup fourth round on Wednesday night.
The England international missed the narrow defeat to the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League due to a groin injury.
Sustaining the problem in training on Saturday, Gordon is set to undergo a scan on the area to determine the seriousness of the issue, meaning that he is a doubt for Wednesday's battle on Tyneside.
Eddie Howe is set to make a raft of changes to his XI from the weekend, with summer arrival Odisseas Vlachodimos likely to get the nod in goal due to the knee injury of Martin Dubravka.
Fringe defenders such as Emil Krafth and Lloyd Kelly started the third-round success over AFC Wimbledon in this competition and will be expecting more EFL Cup game time.
Earning his maiden Premier League start of the term on the weekend, Miguel Almiron could continue in the forward three in order to build up his match sharpness in the absence of hotshot Gordon.
The hosts are likely to alter their midfield trio for the visit of Enzo Maresca's side, with Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock targeting starting berths.
Newcastle United possible starting lineup: Vlachodimos; Livramento, Krafth, Schar, Kelly; Longstaff, Willock, Tonali; Murphy, Almiron, Isak
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