It's the time of the year that Newcastle United fans have almost come to dread - FA Cup third-round weekend.
Steve Bruce must rally his walking wounded following a bruising festive period for a potential banana-skin tie at Rochdale on Saturday.
In the past previous Toon managers have faked injury scares to play weakened teams in the FA Cup, but this time Steve Bruce is genuine when he says he has a team of walking wounded.
Following three successive defeats and an injury list which has now reached double digits, the Magpies' head coach will face a number of difficult decisions on the make-up of his starting eleven at Rochdale.
Bruce made clear his intention to make progression in the domestic cups a priority in his tenure at St James' Park upon his arrival in the summer.
This pledge is a far cry from the approach adopted by the Magpies' hierarchy since Mike Ashley completed his takeover in the summer of 2007.
Since then, a club that holds a proud tradition of reaching the FA Cup final 13 times and lifting the trophy on six occasions have not once made it to the fifth round.