Eddie Howe and Pep Guardiola will make late calls on some big-name players for this weekend's Premier League match
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United and Rodri of Manchester City
Manchester City's Rodri is a doubt to face Newcastle United
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Eddie Howe has spent the last few days with everything crossed that his international players return to Tyneside without adding to his lengthy Newcastle United injury list.
The Magpies head coach is already sweating on the fitness of several players for the Saturday's Premier League return against Manchester City at St James' Park.
And with fixtures coming thick and fast between now and Christmas, Howe will be desperate for some postive injury news in the near future.
By contrast, Man City head to the North East with doubts over just two players - but they are significant ones.
Newcastle at least have no long-term injury issues right now, but calls will have to be made on several big players for this weekend's fixture, and the trip to face Marseille in the Champions League next Tuesday night.
One player who will definitely miss the City game is defender Dan Burn, who serves a one-match suspension for the red card he picked up against Brentford last time out.
As it was two yellows, he will only miss one match, although the suspension would have not have counted for the Marseille trip in any case.
He will join Yoane Wissa on the sidelines, although the striker is now very close to his United debut after picking up a knee injury on international duty in September. It still could be a few weeks until we see him in action - although a bench role at Everton next weekend could be on the cards.
Howe will make late calls on several players after various knocks in recent weeks, with Anthony Gordon rated 50-50 following a hip injury which kept him out at Brentford and meant he missed the England fixtures.
The winger did not train last week, but will have had almost three weeks of recovery before City. However, Nick Pope should be clear of the 12-day concussion rules after being forced off at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Brazilian midfielder Joelinton was another who departed early at Brentford after picking up a nasty gash on his leg. The United No 7 is expected to be able to face City, although his progress has been monitored over the last fortnight.
United have sorely missed full-backTino Livramento, with this game always ringed as a potential return date from a knee injury picked up against Arsenal in September.
Whether he is able to start the game remains to be seen, but the England star is expected to feature in the coming matches after eight weeks on the sidelines.
Finally, William Osula could return to the squad after missing several games with a foot problem. The young Danish striker's absence has meant a lack of attacking options from the bench.
City boss Pep Guardiola will be without midfielder Mateo Kovacic has he recovers from a foot problem which should rule him out until the latter stages of the campaign.
However, they could be dealt a signifcant blow if star midfield anchor Rodri is ruled out. The Spaniard has not featured in City's last two games due to a thigh injury - although they beat Dortmund 4-1 and Liverpool 3-0 without him.
Guardiola will assess his chances of featuring at Newcastle, with the 29-year-old said to be close to being involved.