Eddie Howe has confirmed another Newcastle blow as Alexander Isak makes it five set to miss West Ham in a major boost for David Moyes.
West Ham head to Newcastle United looking to build on back-to-back 2-0 wins in the league and FA Cup with a positive result as they battle for survival.
And Newcastle have their eyes firmly fixed on maintaining their push for a Champions League place.
The Magpies go into the Hammers clash off the back of a memorable night in midweek when they saw off Southampton to make the final of the Carabao Cup.
The game came at a cost for Newcastle with the sending off of star man Bruno Guimaraes – meaning he will be banned for the visit of West Ham.
That will undoubtedly delight Moyes and fill the travelling West Ham fans with hope.
Now there might be more good news for the Hammers ahead of their furthest away trip of the Premier League season.
Because Howe has confirmed another Newcastle blow as Isak makes it five set to miss West Ham in a major boost for Moyes.
Isak was not present in Newcastle training photos ahead of the visit of West Ham.
And manager Howe has now confirmed Isak is showing “slight signs of concussion” which will almost certainly rule him out of the West Ham clash as per protocols.
So Newcastle look set to be missing two star men in Isak and Guimaraes. And another three are also out for the hosts.
Defender Javier Manquillo will miss the fixture after picking up an unknown injury in training that will sideline him for a month.
Meanwhile, Matt Ritchie and Emil Krafth are both long-term absentees for Newcastle.
Newcastle will have new signing Anthony Gordon and the man they poached from West Ham just a few days ago – Harrison Ashby – in the squad to face the Hammers, though.
West Ham will be boosted by Newcastle’s injury blows. But the Hammers will be well aware that Callum Wilson has a ridiculously good goalscoring record against them too.
Ahead of the game Newcastle have sent an important warning to West Ham fans making the trip north.