NEWCASTLE will head to Manchester United on Sunday without long-term injury victims Callum Wilson, Fabian Schar and Javier Manquillo, although the latter’s ankle injury is responding positively to treatment.

As a result, his lay-off might not be quite as long as initially feared.

“They’re going to be weeks,” said Newcastle boss Steve Bruce. “Fab Schar has had his operation, but we’re only talking about a week ago.

"Callum’s is a muscle injury, so we’ve just got to be patient and wait there.

“The one that looks better than most is Manquillo. He twisted his ankle badly, but has responded very, very well to treatment.

"But with the other two, Fab has had his operation and, with Callum, we know we’ve just to be patient with it and give him as much time as he needs.”

Federico Fernandez is much further along the road to recovery, but while he has trained this week, the centre-half will not be considered for Sunday's game.

He should, however, be available for next weekend’s home game with Wolves.

“Feddy has trained (on Thursday) and the day before, for the first time,” said Bruce. “Unfortunately, Man U will be too quick for him.

"He’s been a month with his calf. But we’re hoping, against Wolves, that he might be ready.”