Eddie Howe said it himself, the two-week international break couldn't have come at a better time for his wounded Newcastle United side.
Battered, bruised and depleted - all of that came to head on the South Coast as the Magpies' seven-game unbeaten in the Premier League was ended by lowly AFC Bournemouth.
A former Howe signing, Dominic Solanke, was at the double as Newcastle now look to regroup, refocus and recharge the batteries in the midst of a relentless fixture list that has no end in sight.
Ahead of their visit to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday evening, the Magpies were without a staggering 12 senior players with a hamstring injury for Callum Wilson the latest blow.
Or at least it was the latest blow. Half an hour in versus Bournemouth, Miguel Almiron was forced to depart. Howe hopes his hamstring issue isn't serious but given the number of long-term injuries he has, concern is high.
There is, however, hope a couple of players will return against Chelsea on November 25. Here, NewcastleWorld takes you through Newcastle's absentee list and each player's possible return date:
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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