Newcastle United are looking to avoid a defensive injury crisis ahead of next Saturday's clash away to Manchester City.

In what could end up being a Champions League decider in some ways, Dan Burn is facing assessment on a groin injury that forced him off against Birmingham City on Saturday night. Sven Botman's knee issue remains a concern and Newcastle will make a call on the Dutchman later in the week.

Having offloaded Lloyd Kelly to Juventus this is the defensive crisis Eddie Howe dreaded after saying farewell to his former Bournemouth star. And while PSR moves meant it was forced upon him, Howe warned the dangers of placing business logic over football logic during the window.

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Toon head coach could be forced to field Emil Krafth again at centre-back alongside Fabian Schar at the Etihad Stadium. The Sweden defender made a successful return in the FA Cup win at Birmingham City after making his first start since breaking his collarbone.

Newcastle already have Joelinton ruled out of the Man City encounter while Harvey Barnes and Jamaal Lascelles are longer-term absentees. Speaking about Burn's injury with the Blyth lad missing only a couple of games this season in all competitions, Howe said: "That's the big negative of today. It looks like he's picked up an injury to his groin.

"It's very unlike Dan to say that he needs to come off. We didn't want to start any of the players from Wednesday but were forced to because of the numbers."

Having got through the bulk of the season with fewer problems last term, with the arrival of injury prevention specialist and performance chief James Bunce coming in last summer, Newcastle are now down to the bare bones.

Howe said: "In the last couple of weeks we seem to have picked up a couple. It would be the last thing [we need] to derail us. We have such a small squad. Last season we had big numbers of players out and it disrupted us in the middle of the season."