Newcastle United are struggling for players right now, with injury and suspension giving Eddie Howe a serious headache ahead of the game against Chelsea.

The Magpies' next game is against Chelsea at St James' Park, as they prepare to face each other in the Premier League after the international break.

The break has come at a good time for Newcastle, whose team was seriously depleted against Bournemouth on Saturday. Fans always sing about having Bruno Guimaraes in the middle, Sven Botman at the back and Alexander Isak in attack, but none of them were able to feature.

Instead, Eddie Howe had a 17-year-old Lewis Miley starting his first ever Premier League game. He also had Matt Ritchie on the pitch, and 18-year-old Ben Parkinson making his professional debut.

Newcastle's squad is stretched beyond belief, but the Magpies will be boosted by the return of Bruno Guimaraes against Chelsea. There is also hope that Isak will be back from his groin injury.

However, Howe will have a fresh problem to deal with.

MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES

That is because he is still only on loan from Chelsea, and is therefore ineligible to feature against Mauricio Pochettino's team. It is the same reason why he will not be able to play in the Carabao Cup quarter final at Stamford Bridge in December.

Hall is not a pivotal player for Newcastle at the moment, but he is someone who is fit. That quality is invaluable to Howe right now, who needs more options.

But he will lose the option of Hall against Chelsea, which means Paul Dummett is going to be Newcastle's only eligible left-back for the game - and Howe views him as a centre-back anyway nowadays.

It will likely mean that either Kieran Trippier or Tino Livramento start on the left of defence, meaning Howe is once again going to have players playing out of position.

It is square pegs in round holes, but there is nothing else Howe can do right now.