Steve Bruce reveals injury latest after triple blow for Newcastle United

Callum Wilson, Fabian Schar and Javier Manquillo were all forced off during this afternoon’s hard-fought 3-2 victory – and Bruce’s side ended the Premier League game with nine men.

Jeff Hendrick was dismissed for a second bookable offence, and Bruce had already made three changes when Schar went down injured.

Asked about the injuries, Bruce said: “That’s the disappointing thing. For too long we’ve had people missing with illness and injury. We’ve been desperate at times.

"Unfortunately, It looks as if we’ve picked up an awful injury with Manquillo. It looks as if Fab Schar has a bad knee injury. And, of course, Callum Wilson has a hamstring too.”

Reflecting on the win, head coach Bruce said: “I think I've been at the club 18 months, and it's a health hazard. Just as we're going along nicely, we get a great chance to make it four – and within two minutes they're scoring and we're down to 10 men.

"I think we played half an hour with 10, 20 minutes with nine, we know how difficult that is – Southampton shipped in goal after goal the other night.

"They were terrific in their defending, their attitude – and their application to get a result was pretty evident.

"I'm never going to say we've turned a corner, but I've been pleased over the last month, there's been signs of improvement. The players are buying into it, so let's hope we can get a few more results along the way."