Newcastle United added two more players to their injury list during the Carabao Cup exit at Chelsea on Tuesday night.
Emil Krafth and Anthony Gordon were both forced off in the match due to knocks picked up following challenges from Chelsea players. The Magpies also recently suffered blows to Fabian Schar and Joelinton in their last Premier League match against Fulham.
Assessing the injuries against Chelsea, Howe said: "Emil was too sore to continue, has a real gash on his shin which is quite sore at the moment. Anthony is the same, I thought it was a really poor tackle on him [from Moises Caicedo]. It's the type of tackle you don't want to see, taking our attacking players out of the game so he's very sore at the minute."
The Magpies also have Alexander Isak out with a groin issue. While Howe claimed the striker was rested against Fulham, he wasn't deemed fit enough to make the bench at Chelsea on Tuesday night.
Newcastle will be looking to bounce back from another difficult cup exit when they travel to Luton Town in the Premier League on Saturday (3pm kick-off). The Magpies currently sit sixth in the table after 17 games with Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Manchester City to come in the league and Sunderland in the third round of the FA Cup next month.
Here is Newcastle United's injury list and estimated return dates ahead of Saturday's trip to Luton Town...
1. Jacob Murphy (calf)
Felt a tight calf in the warm-up at Nottingham Forest that rendered him 'unusable' for the match. Expected return: AFC Bournemouth (H) - 17/02
2. Callum Wilson (chest)
Wilson managed to complete 90 minutes at Nottingham Forest but ended the match with his arm in a makeshift sling. Eddie Howe said after the game that he hopes the injury is not serious but it was too soon to tell. It has since been revealed the striker suffered a pectoral injury in his chest. Expected return: TBC
3. Alexander Isak (groin)
Newcastle's top scorer was forced off during Tuesday's 3-1 win at Aston Villa with a groin issue. While it's not thought to be serious, Eddie Howe said he could be out for the next couple of games Expected return: Arsenal (A) - 24/02
4. Matt Targett (hamstring)
Matt Targett has been on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury in the opening minutes of Newcastle’s 3-0 Carabao Cup win against Manchester United. The left-back had surgery on his hamstring in November and given a three month recovery time. Howe has since confirmed Targett is back on the grass but not running just yet. Expected return: Arsenal (A) - 24/02