Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that Alexander Isak and Sven Botman are ruled out for Wednesday's EFL Cup fourth-round tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford due to injury.
Isak limped off inside the opening 15 minutes of Newcastle's 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last week with a recurrence of a groin problem, and he subsequently missed last weekend's 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Botman, meanwhile, has not played for the Magpies since scoring in the 8-0 top-flight win at Sheffield United at the end of September due to a knee injury.
Howe has since provided an update on both players ahead of Wednesday's trip to Old Trafford and has revealed that the duo are not expected to return any time soon.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Howe said: "I don't think, for this game, we're expecting anyone that wasn't available before Wolves to be available now.
"The majority are longer-term unfortunately for us. That's the position we're in so we'll be going with a very similar squad.
"[Sven] Botman is unclear at the moment so we're going day-by-day with that one currently. Alex [Isak], we hope, will be back after the international break."
Newcastle are also having to cope without Harvey Barnes (ankle), Jacob Murphy (shoulder) and Elliot Anderson (back), with the latter facing around eight weeks on the sidelines.
Lewis Miley is another unavailable for selection due to glandular fever, but Emil Krafth is in contention to return to the team for the first time since sustaining an ACL injury in an EFL Cup tie with Tranmere Rovers in August 2022.
"Very good (to have Emil back)," said Howe. "He's had a really good period of work. He's worked incredibly hard with the physios and sports science team, doing everything that we've asked of him.
"I think he's in a good place. He's had development games to get the finishing touches to his sharpness so I think he looks really good at the moment and it's great to have him back with us."
Discussing the contest against Man United, who beat Newcastle in the EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium last season, Howe said: "Manchester United are a top team with top players. They'll, no doubt, possibly rotate their squad, their team, but that is slightly unclear until we get the team sheet.
"I think one of the key tests of any team is how you respond to setbacks. We had one against Borussia Dortmund and I thought it was a good response from the group at the weekend in a really good game against Wolves so I think that's always what you're looking to to do when you're in the manager's position.
"Our emotion is to try to prepare and win the game. One win and we're into the quarter-final of the competition. We loved our run in it last year and we're determined to try and do as well as we can despite the fact we do have a few injuries and the squad will be stretched to a degree. We'll still try and be competitive."
Newcastle are preparing to face a wounded Man United side who suffered a humbling 3-0 home defeat to rivals Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday. body check tags ::
