Newcastle manager Steve Bruce says he cannot put a timeframe on the returns of star man Allan Saint-Maximin and captain Jamaal Lascelles as both continue to suffer the after-effects of Covid-19.
There were rumours circulating that the pair had been absent from the team lately due to a bust-up, but it has since been confirmed they had tested positive for coronavirus.
And the illness has hit the key duo so hard they will definitely not be available for Newcastle's nightmare run of festive fixtures against Manchester City, Liverpool and Leicester.
'There's been a lot written, so I'll try and put the record straight,' said Bruce.