Newcastle United were without 11 senior players for Saturday's late 3-2 defeat to Premier League champions Manchester City.
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 Eddie 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.”
With the Premier League winter break taking place next weekend, Newcastle aren't back in action until January 27 when they travel to Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Will Howe welcome back any players for the visit to Craven Cottage? Here, NewcastleWorld takes a look at Newcastle's injury list in full and each player's possible return date:
5. 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
6. Lewis Miley - back
The 17-year-old has been sidelined with a back injury since the March international break and won't play again this campaign. Possible return date: 2024-25 season. | Getty Images
7. Joe Willock - Achillies
Newcastle have taken the decision to rest Willock for the remainder of the campaign as he overcomes an ongoing Achilles issue. Possible return date: 2024-25 season. | Getty Images
8. Sandro Tonali - banned
Tonali is suspended from football until August following an investigation into illegal betting activity. Possible return date: August 2024. | Getty Images