Newcastle United were without 11 senior players for 3-2 defeat to Premier League champions Manchester City last time out - but Eddie Howe is hoping for positive news on the injury front in the coming weeks.
The Magpies were leading 2-1 with 16 minutes to go after goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon cancelled out Bernardo Silva's opener. City, however, fought back as Kevin de Bruyne equalised before the Belgian set up Oscar Bobb's 91st-minute winner.
Both de Bruyne and Bobb were substitutes introduced by Pep Guardiola in the second half. United boss Howe made just one change as Lewis Hall replaced Anthony Gordon in the 86th minute.
With a bench consisting of two goalkeepers, two youngsters, four defenders and one wide player, Howe - not for the first time this season - felt he couldn't turn to his substitutes in order to impact the game.
It has left Howe desperate to get some of his attacking players back from injury.
He said after the game: “I think it's just the ability to bring on players that can execute what you want them to do to the maximum of their ability. We've got some incredible athletes missing at the moment that would have given us another gear or couple of gears today.
“And also there's a psychological impact of not having those players available to the players that are playing that is sometimes under-estimated.”
Newcastle aren't in action this weekend because of the Premier League winter break but focus has already turned to next Saturday's FA Cup fourth round meeting at Fulham.
When will Howe begin to welcome players back from the treatment room Here, NewcastleWorld takes a look at Newcastle's injury list in full and each player's possible return date:
1. Fabian Schar - hamstring
Schar felt tightness in his hamstring against Sheffield United, which forced him to withdraw at half-time. Possible return date: Burnley (A) 04/05. | Getty Images
2. Sven Botman - ACL
The Dutchman has been ruled out for six to nine months after undergoing surgery on his knee. Possible return date: December 2024. | Getty Images
3. Matt Targett - Achilles
Targett is sidelined for the rest of the season with an Achilles issue having only just returned from four months out. Possible return date: 2024-25 season. | Getty Images
4. Jamaal Lascelles - ACL
Lascelles sustained an ACL injury against West Ham and will be sidelined for six to nine months. Possible return date: December 2024. | AFP via Getty Images