Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has revealed that they will be without three key players including Ghana midfielder Christian Atsu, when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday.
The 25-year-old picked up an injury against Bournemouth a fortnight ago and was forced out of Ghana's last game against Egypt in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifying.
Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles and Mikel Merino will also play no part of the game.
"Mikel Merino's been with a member of staff in Spain [because of his injury]. He will come back and hopefully start training here soon," Benitez said at the pre-match conference.
"Jamaal Lascelles and Christian Atsu are injured and will not be available. Atsu will be out a couple of weeks. We’ll see next week how Lascelles feels,” he added
However, Benitez said Paul Dummett, who suffered a hamstring injury on opening day of the season, was edging closer to a comeback.
"Dummett's getting closer. He's training with us and will be ready soon," he said.
Atsu has made 11 appearances so far this season for Newcastle, including 10 starts and has scored one goal as well as providing one assist.
