Callum Wilson, Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes, Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy, Sven Botman and Matt Targett were all sidelined by injury, while Bruno Guimaraes was suspended. Sandro Tonali is serving a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules.
"The break has come at a very good time. It doesn’t mean we will have a flood of players back but hopefully one or two. Bruno was a huge miss. We’ll get him back. But a lot are longer-term and we have to accept that," said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe at the press conference following his side's 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
"I think we’ve been unlucky – some bizarre injuries. Jacob Murphy’s shoulder, Dan Burn landing on his back. There’s nothing we can do about that. Its a unique situation."
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