Eddie Howe’s side will be without Tino Livramento for two months after he was injured last weekend against Arsenal.
The full back was carried off on a stretcher after an awkward fall in an aerial challenge during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat, and scans have confirmed damage to knee ligaments.
Newcastle had led through Nick Woltemade before Arsenal turned the game on its head with two set-piece goals, Mikel Merino heading in from a Declan Rice cross after a corner and Gabriel rising highest to nod home another in stoppage time to take all three points.
In the 77th minute, Livramento went up for a header, got a nudge from William Saliba while in the air – something that isn’t even allowed in rugby due to the dangerous nature of it – and landed awkwardly.
“He went to see a specialist and the scan initially looked better than we thought it was,” Eddie Howe said on Friday.
“The specialist confirmed it is an eight-week injury, which is a blow for us with the number of games we have in that period.
“It is a ligament injury and that’s why it will take time to recover. He’s already had a couple of injections in the ligament to strengthen it up.”
Although Livramento will now miss the upcoming international break, as well as games against Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Benfica, Fulham, Tottenham, West Ham, Athletic Club, Brentford, Man City, Marseille and Everton, Newcastle were relieved that the injury wasn’t more serious.
Howe will likely turn to Kieran Trippier to cover the right side of defence, with Newcastle preparing for that busy stretch that begins with Forest this weekend.
Ange Postecoglou’s side arrive with pressure already mounting on their new manager after six matches without a win.
According to multiple reports in the papers on Saturday, Forest will consider the former Tottenham man’s position during the international break should they lose at St James’s Park on Sunday.
The 60-year-old was appointed to replace Nuno Espirito Santo just 25 days ago.