Newcastle United are sweating on the fitness of Kieran Trippier heading into Saturday's FA Cup third-round derby match against Sunderland - with several players already ruled out.
Trippier missed Monday's 4-2 defeat at Liverpool with a groin issue but could return for the match at the Stadium of Light. The 33-year-old is likely to be the only returning player for The Magpies this weekend with head coach Eddie Howe already ruling Callum Wilson out of the next two games against The Black Cats and Manchester City with a calf problem.
Mail Online claim longer-term injuries to Joe Willock, Harvey Barnes and Elliot Anderson have 'little chance' of clearing up before the mid-January break. The trio have missed the majority of the season due to injury with Willock limited to just three starts due to a hamstring issue and recurring Achilles injury.
Anderson has been out since October with a stress fracture in his back while Barnes is set for a total of four months on the sidelines with an unusual foot injury picked up during the 8-0 win over Sheffield United in September. Barnes signed for Newcastle for £38million from Leicester City in the summer but has been limited to just two starts.
The 26-year-old grabbed a goal and an assist on his debut against Aston Villa back in August but it has been a difficult spell for him at the club since. The club decided against surgery for the winger shortly after his injury but Howe has since suggested surgery could still be required should the player suffer any further set-backs.
An operation at this stage would risk ending Barnes' season early. In addition to the aforementioned players, Newcastle also have five more players out of Saturday's derby match. Here is Newcastle's current injury/unavailable list and expected return dates...
1. Matt Targett (achilles)
Targett has been missing since picking up a hamstring injury against Man Utd back in November. He has featured on the bench in their last couple of outings before dropping out v West Ham and Everton in what is understood to be a minor setback in his recovery. Expected return: Tottenham Hotspur (H) - 13/04 | Getty Images
2. Kieran Trippier (calf)
Trippier was forced off during the 3-0 win over Wolves with a calf injury. He has since been ruled out for over a month. Set for another couple of weeks out at least. Expected return: Crystal Palace (A) - 24/04 | Getty Images
3. Nick Pope (shoulder)
Nick Pope dislocated his shoulder against Manchester United in December and required surgery. Eddie Howe has said the goalkeeper is still a number of weeks away and isn't expected back until 'late April'. Expected return: Sheffield United (H) - 27/04 | Getty Images
4. Tino Livramento (ankle)
Livramento picked up a twisted ankle injury at Chelsea which ruled him out for the Manchester City trip. He returned against West Ham United before suffering another ankle injury which will keep him out for another couple of weeks. Expected return: Burnley (A) - 04/05 | Getty Images