Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has revealed that an illness has hit his squad ahead of the clash with Manchester United on Wednesday night.
The Magpies host the Red Devils this week as they look to turn round a poor run of form, but are facing a team that is in fine fettle under Michael Carrick.
Howe’s side were beaten at home by Everton last time out, with their fifth defeat in six games leaving them 13th in the Premier League table.
In contrast, Manchester United have won five of their last six, drawing the other, which has seen them rise to third in the division.
Newcastle will be desperate to start turning things around when they host Carrick’s men, but their chances have not been helped by sickness in the camp.
Howe has confirmed that striker Nick Woltemade is struggling with illness and hinted that the issue is more widespread, which means uncertain preparation for the match on Wednesday night.
‘Nick Woltemade has come down ill. There’s obviously an illness in the squad,’ Howe told a press conference on Monday morning.
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He added: ‘Jacob Ramsey trained fine yesterday. Potentially a sickness in the squad, Nick Woltemade hasn’t trained through illness, but we will give him every chance for tomorrow.’
Howe is already dealing with a number of injuries, with key midfielder Bruno Guimaraes out, as is Fabian Schar and Lewis Miley.
Tino Livramento is also sidelined and is not expected to be available against the Red Devils.
‘Tino Livramento is getting closer and closer, this game possibly comes too soon for him, we are desperate for him to become available,’ said the manager.
‘It is a chance for us to rediscover our best form at home’
Despite the issues his team is dealing with, Howe says Newcastle will look to take the game to the in-form visitors at St James’ Park, seeing it as a great opportunity to spark back into life.
‘Our intention in every game is to get into them, be a proactive team rather than a reactive team. Attack them,’ he said.
‘They have tweaked things tactically; they have a really good atmosphere there. You can see an upturn in their general performance; they have some really good players. It is a chance for us to rediscover our best form at home.’
On struggles for results, he said: ‘We want to be consistent, we want to be our best in every game, so it is a frustration for all of us, we are trying to find solutions to our problems.’
Manchester United are sweating on the fitness of defensive trio Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez ahead of the journey to Newcastle.
All three could be available, but are doubts ahead of the trip, while Patrick Dorgu, Mason Mount and Matthijs de Ligt remain out.
Dorgu scored the only goal of the game in the reverse fixture as Manchester United beat Newcastle 1-0 on Boxing Day.