Newcastle United could be without five players for Monday's Premier League meeting with Everton at St James' Park, while David Moyes has refused to confirm whether Jack Grealish will be involved.
The two sides meet again just four days after their Carabao Cup tie at Hill Dickinson Stadium, which Everton won 3-1 thanks to goals from James Garner, Hayden Hackney and top-scorer Thierno Barry. That result set up a quarter-final at Fleetwood Town and lifted morale after back-to-back Premier League defeats, while increasing pressure on the Magpies, who have lost four of their last six matches.
Newcastle's injury concerns
Newcastle's striker William Osula, who started against the Blues, is rated as doubtful for Monday's contest. He was substituted at half-time after hurting his ankle following a challenge by Everton captain James Tarkowski.
Newcastle manager Matias Jaissle said: "Will Osula was not able to continue; he twisted his ankle on that occasion when he took the shot. It's too early at the moment (to say if he will be available to play)."
Osula was replaced by Yoane Wissa, who could start the league meeting. However, the DR Congo international endured a frustrating second half, and Jaissle may opt to start winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo in a central attacking position. The £51m summer signing has missed the last two games through illness but is hoped to return on Monday.
Definitely out for Newcastle are goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen and full-back Valentino Livramento, while midfielder Lewis Miley is rated as doubtful.
Everton's clean bill of health
Everton, in contrast, have a fully fit squad, with all 18 outfield members free of injury. Jarrad Branthwaite will be available again after missing the Carabao Cup victory and the Premier League loss at Arsenal due to concussion protocol.
The centre-back collided with Emiliano Martinez during Chelsea's league win at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 17, an incident that sent the Argentinian goalkeeper to hospital with a fractured jaw and forced Branthwaite to miss the two following matches.
Blues boss David Moyes said: "Jarrad should have recovered from his concussion and also the time scale, which we had to abide by."
Grealish decision remains unclear
Moyes stayed tight-lipped about Jack Grealish's absence from Thursday's tie. Everton confirmed before kick-off that Grealish had been omitted due to a disciplinary breach, understood to be his failure to attend a scheduled training session.
Moyes said: "You probably know I am not going to give any details. It is a club decision and I support it." Asked if he felt let down by Grealish, he added: "It is something I don't want to speak too much about."
Moyes praised his squad's response to the incident: "The one thing about Everton is that they have got real good values, all the players stand behind it and accept the values, on the pitch and off the pitch. I think the players did a good job tonight, it is a small squad but we are doing our best to keep challenging."
It remains to be seen whether Grealish returns on Monday and, if he does, whether he displaces youngsters Tyrique George or Tyler Dibling from the starting line-up.
