Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko will miss the visit of Reading with an ankle injury while his future at St James' Park remains uncertain.
Fellow midfielder Mohamed Diame will also sit out the game with an ankle problem picked up against Huddersfield.
Reading boss Jaap Stam could make changes after a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Wolves on Saturday.
Defender Jake Cooper and striker Deniss Rakels are pushing for starts after coming off the bench at Molineux.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez: "It has been a really bad start in terms of results, but at the end of the season we will be fine and where we want to be.