'Unrecognisable' - Eddie Howe makes critical claim as Newcastle United dealt another injury blow

Newcastle United have been dealt yet another injury blow with Miguel Almiron forced off in the 2-0 defeat AFC Bournemouth.

Almiron went down with a hamstring injury in the opening half-hour of the Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium. The Paraguayan was replaced by Matt Ritchie with the score at 0-0.

Dominic Solanke scored a second-half brace to give Bournemouth the win and end Newcastle's seven-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

United went into the game with an already depleted squad with head coach Eddie Howe handing out two full Newcastle Premier League debuts to 17-year-old Lewis Miley and 19-year-old Lewis Hall.

The Magpies were without the suspended Bruno Guimaraes and banned Sandro Tonali for the match while Callum Wilson, Alexander Isak, Sven Botman, Harvey Barnes, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Javier Manquillo were all out injured.

While Newcastle could be boosted by a few returning faces after the international break, Almiron's withdrawal will certainly be seen as a concern.

Following the full-time whistle, Howe provided a small update on Almiron's fitness.

"It's a hamstring problem, I hope it's not serious," Howe said. "We don't know at this moment in time just how bad it is."

On the defeat, The Magpies boss added: "It was a game where we just couldn't be where we needed to be, it was a tough watch. We were unrecognisable today to how we can be and how we have been for such a long period.

"A real off day and there are reasons for it. I don't want to make excuses but I do want to support the team."