Alexander Isak is out injured for another three weeks - as Eddie Howe defended his decision to play him with a broken toe.
The Swedish striker is out of the Carabao Cup tie against Wimbledon on Tuesday night and almost certainly the trip to Everton at the weekend, followed by international duty. Isak lasted 80 minutes at Fulham but could not stand the pain in his foot, and has not trained for two weeks as United hope the bone heals.
William Osula is in line to make his first start against the League Two outfit at St James’ Park, after his £10m move from Sheffield United in the summer. Callum Wilson, out all season so far, will be in contention to play after in the home game against Brighton, while Anthony Gordon could be rested.
Howe explained: “It was one of those situations where, if Alex could tolerate the pain, he would be fine. He tolerated the pain for about 80 minutes (at Fulham) before he became aware of any feeling back in that toe. It was either he’d be out until probably after the international break initially, or he could carry on playing as normal if he could tolerate the feelings and the effects of the injury. He hasn’t been able to do that, so we’re back to the original diagnosis, I think.
“We're sort of assessing him on a daily basis because there is a chance he could be fit for Everton if everything falls into place. Of course, then we have a decision to make. Does he play in that game or do we leave him knowing that he'll be OK two weeks afterwards?”
Osula, 21, has been going “through a process” with United coaches to turn him into a Premier League ready player, and Howe insists he has potential. Anthony Gordon is regarded as the Toon's third choice lead striker.
Howe said: “With Will, we were well aware that we’d have to go to work as coaches and Will would have to go to work as the player to develop himself, to improve every area of his game to become a Premier League striker.
“We feel he has the attributes to do that. He’s very, very quick, physically excellent. He’s a tall, imposing character and his best asset is running in behind and stretching the line for us. He has some things to smoothen out in his game. We’ve seen already, certainly from the battles he’s had against our centre-halves in training, he has an ability to score goals and have a physical impact in the game, to make it uncomfortable for defenders.
“We are working hard with him and he’s working hard. His attitude has been excellent. He comes in with a big smile on his face every day. His career and his game is going in the right direction.”
Newcastle will use Anthony Gordon as the lead striker until Isak is fit again, or Wilson returns. Howe revealed: "Calum Wilson's on track to be fit for after the international break, along with, hopefully, Lewis Miley Of course, Sven (Botman) and Jamaal (Lascelles) are a little bit further back. Hopefully some good news on the horizon, but until they're back fully, it's difficult to promise that."
Miguel Almiron is also ready to start, as Howe gives the Paraguayan some game time.