Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle United injury news as eight players ruled out

Newcastle United travel to Sheffield Wednesday in the third round of the FA Cup - and Eddie Howe will be without at least four senior players.

The Magpies head coach teased a potential return for club-record signing Alexander Isak after he returned to full training this week.

Isak hasn’t played for United since September having been sidelined with a thigh problem.

“Let’s get through training today,” Howe said on Friday. “I’m not clear because I just don’t want to put pressure on him. We’ll introduce him at the right time.

“He’s getting closer all the time and he has trained with the team. I’m pleased with his progress. Let’s wait and see.”

While Howe remains coy over Isak, it’s already been confirmed that Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Targett, Emil Krafth and Paul Dummett will miss the tie.

Shelvey (calf) and Targett (heel), two players who likely would have started at Hillsborough, won’t return until next month at the earliest, while Dummett is sidelined with a back problem and Krafth is recovering from an ACL injury.

In the Sheffield Wednesday camp, Darren Moore will also be without four of his senior stars.

Central defender Dominic Iorfa will return to the matchday squad versus Newcastle but the game comes a week too early for striker Lee Gregory.

Key midfielder and captain Barry Bannon won’t be available after suffering a hamstring injury in last week’s 2-0 win over Port Vale.

There’s no return date yet for centre-back Michael Ihiekwe. Ben Heneghan, meanwhile, is out for the rest remainder of the campaign with an ACL injury.