Eddie Howe has confirmed that his Newcastle United side have suffered two "big" injury blows after both Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy were forced off in the 1-0 Champions League defeat at home to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night.
Howe revealed at his pre-match press conference that Isak had shaken off a groin problem and would be in contention to play against his former club Dortmund, and the Swedish striker was handed a start in the contest at St James' Park.
However, just 15 minutes into the match, Isak was forced off with a recurrence of his groin injury and was replaced by Callum Wilson, who was unfortunate not to score on a few occasions in the second half.
Meanwhile, Murphy was withdrawn in the 65th minute with a shoulder injury just three-and-a-half minutes after coming on as substitute, with the winger in notable distress and he left the pitch with his arm wrapped round his shirt.
Both Isak and Murphy have been important players for Newcastle so far this season, but Howe has suggested that the Magpies could be without the attacking duo for some time.
Addressing both injuries in an interview with TNT Sports, Howe said: "That [Isak going off] was a blow and Jacob came off with what looks like a serious injury.
"We've got a small squad as is it. That's probably the most disappointing thing of the night.
"It looks like a recurrence of his [Isak's] groin problem and it's a big blow. Jacob looks serious, potentially a dislocation of his shoulder."
Isak has made a bright start to the 2023-24 campaign in front of goal, netting seven times in 12 appearances across all competitions, including a brace in a 2-2 draw with West Ham United before sustaining his groin problem the first time around.
Murphy, meanwhile, has been rotated in and out of Howe's side thus far, but he recently rewarded the Newcastle boss on his first Premier League start of the season with a goal and two assists in last weekend's 4-0 win over Crystal Palace.
On Wednesday, a first-half strike from Felix Nmecha proved to be the decisive goal as Dortmund condemned Newcastle to their first defeat in Group F, three weeks on from the Magpies' famous 4-1 home triumph over Paris Saint-Germain.
Howe's men improved in the second half and came close to restoring parity, with both Wilson and Anthony Gordon smacking the crossbar, but defeat to Dortmund has seen them slip to third in Group F, behind the Bundesliga side in second only by their head-to-head record, while PSG sit pretty at the top with six points at the halfway stage.
"Tactically [Dortmund] were good and gave us problems in central areas," said Howe. "In the second half we were a lot better and unfortunately the ball would not go in. The intention was there but we're up against elite teams. You make half a mistake and get punished.
"We grew into the game in the second half with the chances we created and the woodwork denied us. Now we have to do it the hard way in the group.
"It is going to be difficult but were in the Champions League. Nothing comes easy. You know you're going to have to win in some tough places. Now we need to dust ourselves down and be ready for next week.
"We need to sit down and analyse the game. When you play a team so quickly again we need to work out how we adjust and see if we can go there and get a result. I don't think we deserved to lose today."
Newcastle will endeavour to return to winning ways when they travel to Molineux for a Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening. body check tags ::
