Both Eddie Howe and Daniel Farke have some selection issues for today's Elland Road showdown
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali receives treatment for an injury
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali picked up a shoulder injury against Liverpool(Image: PA)
It may be only week three of the new Premier League season, but already Eddie Howe has some injury headaches to address for the game with Leeds United this evening. The hosts have their own issues too ahead of the Elland Road showdown in front of the Sky TV cameras.
Monday night's 3-2 defeat to Liverpool was a brusing one not only in terms of morale after the injury-time winner for Arne Slot's side broke United hearts following their tremendous battle with 10 men.
It left Howe's squad down on numbers, and he will be forced to make changes to tonight's game at Leeds. There was some good news, however, with Fabian Schar passed fit to play despite receiving a blow to the head against Liverpool, which led to Malick Thiaw's debut from the bench.
Three men will definitely be absent from Elland Road, with Anthony Gordon suspended after picking up a red card for a challenge on Virgil van Dijk. The England forward will serve the first of a three-match ban this weekend.
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He is joined on the sidelines by Brazilian midfielder Joelinton, who collected a knock last week. His injury is not thought to be serious and he should return to action against Wolves following the international break.
Of course Alexander Isak's absence will continue at Leeds with the Swedish forward still unavailable to Howe amid his desire for a transfer to Liverpool.
Nick Woltemade's signing could mean that move is a step closer, but the saga goes on as deadline day draws ever nearer.
Howe did not rule out Sandro Tonali from his squad, with the Italian nursing a shoulder problem. He has trained in the gym this week and Howe said he was battling to be fit - with a late decision made on the midfielder.
Leeds have their own issues, not least in central midfield where two key players are missing from Farke's squad.
Captain Ethan Ampadu picked up a knee problem in the opening-day win over Everton and will be sidelined again today.
Fellow midfielder Ao Tanaka is also ruled out, again with a knee problem, with former Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff likely to come in alongside Ilia Gruev.
"It's a bit tricky because we spoke about Ethan and Ao - it’s a bit thin but we’ll find a solution," Farke said ahead of today's game. "We can set up a slightly different midfield.
"I won't speak too much in public before because Newcastle will watch what I say today. I'm confident we can have a good set up."
A home debut could be on the cards for foward Noah Okafor after a brief appearance from the bench in Leeds' 5-0 dedeat at Arsenal. but the former AC Milan star has a muscle issue and is rated as doubtful.