A positional injury crisis is forcing AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola to think outside the box in a bid to negate the loss of two key men.

Newcastle United are no stranger to an injury crisis. If last season was defined by the lack of players available, then this one, it’s fair to say, has been the opposite.

The introduction of performance director James Bunce has clearly had the desired impact, with injuries, largely - touch wood - kept down to a minimum.

That’s not been the case everywhere, though. And one club who visit St James’ park this week have been left scraping the barrel when it comes to forward options heading to Tyneside.

And it’s forced boss Andoni Iraola to think outside the box for a solution.

Dango Ouattara of AFC Bournemouth arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge. | Getty Images

placeholder image — Dango Ouattara of AFC Bournemouth arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge. | Getty Images

Who is injured for Bournemouth?

It’s been a rough few weeks for Bournemouth, who have been forced to send out teams without a whole host of star men. It hasn’t, however, prevented them picking up results - and climbing the Premier League table. The Cherries are just two places and one point behind the Magpies.

Marcos Senesi is not expected to return ‘til March, while Luis Sinisterra, Alex Scott, Marcus Tavernier and Julian Araujo are out until at least next month.

It is up front where the issues have arisen lately, though, with both of Bournemouth’s main two strikers Evanilson and Enes Unal, suffering what look like season-ending injuries.

Unal is set to go under the knife to fix a knee issue. A club statement said: “He will undergo surgery to repair the ligament in the coming days, and the club's medical and performance staff will support him in every way possible throughout.”

While big summer signing Evanilson has done a metatarsal and the closest prognosis for him could well be an April return.

That has forced Iraola into some new thinking in the forward areas - with an experimental frontline seen at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Against Chelsea the Cherries lined up with David Brooks on the right, Ryan Christie in the 10 and Antoine Semenyo on the left. That saw Justin Kluivert dropped to the bench.

And, in place of the injured forward duo was Dango Outtara, who is often seen in a deeper roles.

It will be interesting to see who Iraola goes with at SJP - although that line-up might well have been a hint.

Who is injured for Newcastle United?

The big news this week has, of course, been the muscle injury suffered by winger Harvey Barnes. The former Leicester City man was the hero against Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this season, but won’t be doing the same on Wednesday night, nor Saturday, with the 26-year-old expected to sit out around a month of action.

Should all come through unscathed against Wolves tonight, then that would just leave Jamaal Lascelles, Nick Pope and Callum Wilson out injured. Emil Krafth is expected to return while the likes of Joe Willock should be back in action.