Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has revealed that winger Harvey Barnes could be facing "months rather than weeks" on the sidelines with a foot injury.
Barnes, a £39m summer signing from Leicester City, was handed just his second Premier League start for the Magpies in Sunday's thumping 8-0 away victory over Sheffield United.
However, the 25-year-old was forced off in just the 12th minute and was later seen wearing a protective boot when leaving Bramall Lane.
Barnes has undergone a scan to assess the severity of his injury, and although Newcastle are yet to receive the results, Howe has revealed that the winger has sustained a "significant" problem to his foot and may require surgery.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's EFL Cup third-round clash with Manchester City, Howe said: "I think it is an injury to the lower part of his foot just below the two.
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"I think it is quite a substantial injury. We've had it scanned and we are waiting on what's next, whether he needs surgery or not.
"He was very down about it because he knew it was serious. Nobody was around him when it happened. I don't think it was from a tackle it was just pushing off to run, very unlucky. I don't want to get too technical because I'm not qualified to do so but very unlucky."
Asked how long Barnes could be sidelined for, Howe said: "We are fearing – and I don't want to put a time on it until we've seen the specialist – that'll be months rather than weeks."
"We will support him fully. He's a top quality player."
Newcastle are also having to cope without midfield duo Joelinton (knee) and Joe Willock (hamstring), with the former set for at least another seven to 10 days on the sidelines and the latter not expected to return until after the next international break in mid-October.
"I need to assess everybody physically first from Sunday," Howe added. "There's a couple of players carrying certain injuries.
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"We do have players that are really keen to play and show what they can do. We will have to utilise the squad, especially with what we have coming up next week."
Barnes is now expected to miss several key fixtures during a busy schedule for Newcastle in the coming weeks, including Wednesday's aforementioned EFL Cup tie with Man City as well as Premier League encounters with the likes of Burnley, West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal.
Newcastle's No.15 is also set to miss Champions League group-stage showdowns with Paris Saint-Germain at St James' Park and Borussia Dortmund away from home.
The absence of Barnes could see Anthony Gordon cement his place on the left flank having made an impressive start for the Magpies so far this season.
"He's had an outstanding start to the season," said Howe. "What's pleased me most is his fitness levels and athleticism is really coming to the fore. He's adding goals and assists which is great to see."
Gordon has contributed with two goals and two assists in six Premier League appearances so far this term, including a goal and an assist in the win over Sheffield United after replacing Barnes early in the first half.
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