As if facing a Manchester United side boosted by the return of Cristiano Ronaldo was not going to be daunting enough, Newcastle United have been hit with the news that key striker Callum Wilson will miss the game at Old Trafford.
Steve Bruce's side go into the match having take just one point from their opening three games and with fan frustration already boiling up after a summer where the arrival of Joe Willock from Arsenal represented the club's only move in the transfer market.
After defeats against West Ham United, Aston Villa, a draw against Southampton in the league - as well as a League Cup exit at home to Burnley - the Magpies now take on one of the English top-flight's 'Big Six' for the first time this season.
And while Newcastle's lack of new signings has infuriated fans - and frustrated Bruce - they tackle a Manchester United squad strengthened by the arrival of winger Jadon Sancho, defender Raphael Varane and, most recently, the return of the prodigal son in Ronaldo.
Ole Gunnar Solkkjaer's side are joint second in the table having won two and drawn one of their opening matches.
So the news on Friday that Wilson, last season's top scorer with 12 goals, will miss Saturday's Premier League game through injury, is a body blow for the black and whites.
He has already scored twice this season and his absence means a likely start for either Joelinton or Dwight Gayle up front. The pair scored five league goals between them last season.
“Callum won’t make the weekend,” said Bruce. “Unfortunately, he picked up a thigh injury a muscle strain.
“We’re not going to put a timescale on it. It’s really frustrating for Callum and for us. He’s got two goals in three games as well.
“It’s unfortunate that he’s picked up this thigh injury. We’ll just give it as long as we can.”
Scotland international Ryan Fraser will also miss the game. “He’s twisted his ankle,” added Bruce. “We don’t think it’s as bad as certainly the photographs we saw of him on crutches and in a boot [earlier in the week]. It was only precautionary.”
Newcastle 2 Southampton 2: player ratings
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NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Freddie Woodman - 6: Bar one unconvincing block on Ward-Prowse free-kick, keeper looked solid in first half. Saved from Elyounoussi but couldn’t stop same player bundling home leveller. No chance with Ward-Prowse's last-gasp penalty. Getty -
Jacob Murphy - 5: Curled free-kick just over bar after half an hour which was Newcastle’s first attempt at goal. Allowed Djenepo to cut inside and shoot unchallenged just after break and was skinned by Redmond for Saints’ goal. Lovely cushioned header, though, to set-up Wilson’s goal. PA -
Fabian Schar - 6: Gifted ball to Livramento that almost led to Saints scoring after 23 minutes and was booked for reckless lunge on Adams. Lovely cross-field ball to Murphy who then suppled Wilson with the opening goal. Getty -
Federico Fernandez - 8: Important block when he got foot on Djenepo shot in first half that was just one of many excellent challenges in an impressive performance from the Argentine centre-half. PA -
Jamaal Lascelles - 6: Unconvincing start from the big centre-half, giving ball away needlessly and looking generally off the pace. Improved as match went on, though, until rash challenge on Armstrong in injury-time saw Saints handed penalty via VAR referral. Reuters -
Matt Ritchie - 6: Relentless workrate, constantly snapping away at opposition heels and some dangerous crosses into box. But not always convincing defensively and lost Elyounoussi for Saints’ first goal. AP -
Sean Longstaff - 6: Back in starting XI with Iassac Hayden out injured, Geordie midfielder was solid without stamping his authority on the game. Reuters -
Joe Willock - 6: Mazy run into Saints box in first couple of minutes and one brilliant turn and pass but a generally quiet first half as Newcastle offered little attacking threat until just before break. Yet to hit the same heights as last season but still flashes of quality. PA -
Miguel Almiron - 5: Another match that just seemed to pass the Paraguayan by. The odd attacking run and decent pass but just not enough impact and no goal threat whatsoever. Getty -
Allan Saint-Maximin - 8: The usual rollercoaster performance from the Frenchman. Frustrating runs down blind alleys, too slow to release the ball at times but then unstoppable at others. A joy to watch at full flow and thought he had won the game for Newcastle with late finish. Getty -
Callum Wilson - 8: Shot high and wide with first real chance from outside of box just before half-time and almost opened scoring minutes later with near-post header that forced good save out of McCarthy. Brave header low down to put Newcastle in front. Reuters -
SUBS: Joelinton – (On for Wilson 68’) 6: Looked like he was going to score minutes after coming on but couldn’t get on end of Saint-Maximin cross. Key role in second goal. Getty -
Ryan Fraser – (On for Willock 84’) N/A. Had shot blocked on line that led to Saint-Maximin’s goal. Reuters -
SOUTHAMPTON RATINGS: Alex McCarthy - 6: Fine save from Wilson header just before half-time and had no chance with either goal. Getty -
Valentino Livramento - 7: Carried on where he left off against Manchester United last week and looked impressive again at right-back. Handed chance on plate to Djenepo who managed to miss open goal in first half. Getty -
Jack Stephens - 6: Up against a dangerous attacking pair in Saint-Maximin and Wilson but did OK, although the latter found space inbetween Stephens and defensive partner Salisu to head home for Newcastle. Getty -
Mohammed Salisu - 8: Another Saint who was excellent last week, the Mali defender had little problems in first half when Newcastle made little headway attacking wise. Under more pressure after break but his defensive quality still shone through with some perfectly-timed tackles. Getty -
Kyle Walker-Peters - 7: Surging runs cutting inside from left on recall to side and caused Newcastle all sorts of problems in first half. Booked. PA -
Mohamed Elyounoussi - 7: Found himself through on goal in first half but shot weakly at Woodman. Bundled home Saints’ equaliser at the second attempt. Getty -
James Ward-Prowse - 7: Sliced shot high and wide after 13 minutes. Dangerous free-kick parried away unconvincingly by Woodman in first half. Just the man you want taking an injury-time penalty which he finished with aplomb. Getty -
Oriol Romeu – 6: Made to look silly by Willock at one point in first half and can struggle against quick-footed, pacy players such as Saint Maximin but still important player for Saints in centre of park. Getty -
Moussa Djenepo - 3: Incredible miss when he managed to put shot over bar from a couple of metres out in first half, then had another shot blocked by Fernandez when he should have got shot earlier. Curled lovely shot just wide at start of second half. Booked. Getty -
Che Adams - 6: Great work to set-up Elyounoussi with first-half chance but a disappointingly quiet day for the striker. Getty -
Adam Armstrong - 6: Up against his former club, attacker pulled early chance wide from edge of area. Fouled in box by Lascelles just as he was shooting at goal that earned Saints’ their late penalty. Getty -
SUBS: Nathan Redmond – (On for Djenepo 58’) 7: Brilliant wing play to provide the cross for Elyounoussi goal. PA -
Armando Broja – (On for Adams 71’) 6: Little impact after coming on. Ibrahima Diallo – (On for Romeu 88’) N/A. Getty
One positive note for Newcastle is that Miguel Almiron is free to play this weekend amid an continuing debate over a collective decision by Premier League clubs not to allow South American players to travel to countries on the UK Government’s Covid-19 red-list.
Almiron did not meet up with the Paraguay squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela last week, and it was understood that the Paraguay Football Association had asked Fifa to invoke its five-day rule, meaning he would not be allowed to play for the Magpies this weekend.
“It’s a difficult one for the players, very, very difficult because all they want to do is play football,” Bruce said.
“The ultimate is to play for your country — and I can understand that — and of course play on a Saturday, so they’ve been drawn into a very difficult situation.
“However, a bit of common sense has prevailed with Almiron that he’s available, so we’re extremely pleased that that he’s available for selection.”
As for the prospect of taking on Ronaldo in front of a rocking Old Trafford, Bruce said it was down to his team to “spoil the party".
“Listen, it’s always going to be tough and obviously the added spice of Ronaldo coming back has added to it,” former Manchester United defender Bruce said.
“But make no mistake, they’ve got quality players all over the pitch, so whenever you go to Old Trafford, the one thing you’re going to have to do is enjoy the challenge of playing against one of the big, big teams of this country and relish the opportunity to go and see if we can spoil the party a bit."
