‘Too early to say’ - Fresh Newcastle United injury concern after Borussia Dortmund defeat

Newcastle United have been dealt another injury concern following the 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League tonight.

The Magpies fell behind in the 26th minute when Niklas Fullkrug opened the scoring before Dortmund doubled their lead in the second half through Julian Brandt on the counter-attack.

United’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stage now hang in the balance ahead of remaining Group F matches against Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan.

And Eddie Howe also has a fresh injury concern with striker Callum Wilson forced off at half-time because of ‘hamstring tightness’. Anthony Gordon replaced him.

“We tried to give ourselves two substitutes today to use when we needed them,” said Howe.

“Callum was feeling a tightness in his hamstring so that forced our hand as well. You don’t need me to say we are stretched at the moment.”

Howe was without a staggering 12 senior players for the trip to the Signal Iduna Park.

Injuries have ripped through the Magpies’ squad in recent weeks with Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy and Matt Targett the latest long-term casualties.

Howe revealed during his pre-match press conference Dan Burn is facing up to two months on the sidelines after picking up a back injury in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Arsenal.

And in the same game, Jacob Murphy’s shoulder popped out again, just under a fortnight after he dislocated it in the opening game against Dortmund.

Murphy will undergo surgery and spend up to three months out, as will Matt Targett, who sustained a hamstring injury during last week’s 3-0 win at Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.

Existing injuries to Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes, Sven Botman, Elliot Anderson and Javier Manquillo, plus the suspended Sandro Tonali and the ineligible Matt Ritchie, Emil Krafth and Mark Gillespie meant United had just 16 senior players available for Dortmund,

Under-21s players Lucas de Bolle and Ben Parkinson were called into the matchday squad.