This just can't go on at Newcastle United

The 13th-placed club gained a deserved point at Molineux this afternoon – Steve Bruce’s side held Wolverhampton Wanderers to a 1-1 draw – but lost two more players to injury.

Newcastle, seemingly, have had no luck with injuries this season, and Dwight Gayle and Paul Dummett were forced off in the first half.

That said, the team made their own luck with a spirited and committed performance at Molineux, where Miguel Almiron made it three goals from six games. Martin Dubravka, again, was excellent.

Injuries, however, are a concern. Bruce has been beset by injury problems. The club, which has had an injured list running into double figures, keeps taking a step forward as players return – and then a step back as more limp or hobble off

United’s head coach, without a recognised right-back, made four changes to his starting XI at Molineux. Gayle came into the team, and the striker was involved in Almiron’s seventh-minute opener.

Jetro Willems, recalled after recovering from injury, broke up the left and crossed for Gayle, who laid the ball off for Almiron. The midfielder side-footed the ball home, but the lead didn’t last long.

United – who lost Dummett to what looked like a recurrence of a groin problem early in the game – failed to deal with a corner from Joao Moutinho, and the unmarked Leander Dendoncker finished from close range.

Gayle pulled up and was forced off in the 28th minute, and Newcastle – who had Dubravka to thank for a save which denied Raul Jimenez – spent the rest of the half on the back foot.

It was the same after the break, and Matty Longstaff stopped a shot from Matt Doherty on the line.

Wolves fans became increasingly frustrated watching United frustrate their team.

Dubravka brilliantly denied Neto with just over 10 minutes left, and Andy Carroll came off the bench for the last 11 minutes as Newcastle held on to claim a hard-fought point.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Dubravka, Hayden, Fernandez, Clark, Dummett (Lejeune, 13), Willems, Almiron, S Longstaff, M Longstaff, Joelinton (Carroll, 79), Gayle (Atsu, 28). Subs not used: Darlow, Ritchie, Watts, Allan.