Ciaran Clark will be sidelined for Newcastle as they look to improve on their worst ever start to a top-flight season when they welcome Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.
The defender has been undergoing treatment since withdrawing from the Republic of Ireland squad for Tuesday night's Nations League defeat to Wales with thigh injury suffered in training, but will not make the weekend's game.
Rafa Benitez's side are without a win in their opening nine games of the season, but the Spaniard is confident they are close to turning a corner.
He said: "The first win is almost the most difficult and as soon as we win the first game, we will start having more confidence and it will be easier for us."