Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce confirmed that centre-back Jamaal Lascelles and midfielder Joe Willock will miss Saturday's trip to Watford in the Premier League.
Willock, who signed on a permanent deal from Arsenal over the summer after a loan spell in the second half of last season, picked up an issue in training, while captain Lascelles has also recently been confined to the treatment room.
Speaking to the press ahead of Saturday's meeting, Bruce said: "We've got a couple of problems, Joe Willock picked up an injury in training this week unfortunately, and Jamaal Lascelles hurt his thigh, so they go onto the injured list which makes that about five or six we've got of our first team – not that healthy, I have to say."
Continuing on the nature of Willock's issue, the manager said: "Joe's was a complete fluke – unfortunately he kicked the ground and damaged the capsule in his toe, so he'll not make this week and probably touch and go whether he makes next week as well."
Willock caught headlines last season, as he found the net in seven consecutive appearances in the run-up to the end of the campaign, before becoming the Magpies' only piece of incoming business in the summer transfer window.
Bruce's side travel to Vicarage Road in search of their first Premier League victory of the season, having picked up just two points from their first five outings.
Sam Varley
