Steve Bruce has told the Shields Gazette that Emil Krafth has picked up an injury, leaving his side down to the bare bones at centre-back.
Krafth, who is more comfortable on the right-hand side of Newcastle’s defence, had been used as an emergency centre-half in recent games by Bruce.
However, with Newcastle set to take on Liverpool in their final game of the season on Sunday, they are set to be without the Swede.
And Bruce admits that the Magpies now face a serious issue in defence, although they will welcome the returns of Isaac Hayden and Sean Longstaff.
“We might have Isaac and Sean,” said Bruce. “We’ve got a problem with Emil. He took a nasty whack to his ankle. We’ve got six centre-backs on the books, and five of them are injured.”
Newcastle’s current injury crisis could lead to Kelland Watts being handed his debut.
Watts would really be thrown in at the deep end if he is picked to start against the newly crowned Premier League champions, but there are high hopes for the teenaged academy graduate at St. James’ Park.
If Watts does start it seems likely he will partner the experienced Federico Fernandez at the back.
Newcastle are only playing for pride on the final day, as they are unable to climb any higher than their current place in 13th in the Premier League table, even with a victory.
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