As wounded Newcastle prepares to face Manchester United on Saturday the 18th, the international break is a welcomed interruption. Key contributors find themselves out of fitness.

First Team Injuries:

DEF Paul Dummett - Hamstring - Nearing return from opening match injury

DEF Jamaal Lascelles - Ankle - Doubt for 10/18

MID Christian Atsu - Thigh Muscle Tear - Doubt for 10/18

MID Mikel Merino - Back - Out a couple weeks

News broke from the Ghanaian national team’s Twitter account that Christian Atsu has dropped out of the Ghana squad. His injury suffered against Bournemouth was aggravated on international duty.

There is speculation that Mikel Merino may be sidelined until December. His back injury remains a problem and it seems certain that he will miss at least two weeks.

Jamal Lascelles has an ankle injury which looks to keep him out of this weekend’s match, but it is unlikely to affect his status for the following game.

Newcastle have one of the season’s toughest tests in facing Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday. Without captain Jamaal Lascelles, Christian Atsu, or Mikel Merino, there is not much hope for a favorable result.