Newcastle's hopes of staying in the Premier League have suffered a massive blow with injuries to both Alain Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron.
The attacking duo will be out until April with respective groin and knee injuries sustained during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Wolves at St. James's Park.
Newcastle currently sit just three-points and one place above the relegation zone.
Having taken just four-points from their last five Premier League games, Steve Bruce could really do without missing players who offer frequently absent potency to their attack.
The Newcastle boss is already dealing with the loss of Callum Wilson to a hamstring injury.
The former Bournemouth striker has scored more than a third of the Magpies' top flight goals this season, with 10 in 21 appearances.
To underline how significant this blow is, I’m told this morning all #nufc takeover conversations have been halted by Justin Barnes and the club is, effectively, no longer for sale. Everything paused until relegation matters decided. https://t.co/MdVq1qw8E7
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) March 2, 2021
Wilson is believed to be doing triple sessions of rehab to get back in time to aide Newcastle's battle against the drop.
Such is the gravity of the situation at the Tyneside club, that talk regarding a potential takeover has been halted by advisor to owner Mike Ashley, Justin Barnes.
The Telegraph's Luke Edwards reports that the club want relegation matters settled before they can press on with finding a buyer.
Last summer, a proposed £300million takeover fronted by the Saudi Public Investment Fund collapsed, sixteen weeks after agreement was reached with Ashley.
Barnes and co recognise that selling a Premier League club, and one that's suffered a third relegation under Ashley are two completely different deals.
Andy Carroll, Ryan Fraser and Dwight Gayle are among those Bruce will likely turn to when Newcastle go to West Brom in a relegation six-pointer on Sunday.
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