Newcastle manager Alan Pardew admits the absence of key midfielder Yohan Cabaye has come at a bad time for the club.
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The France international has impressed for the Magpies since his arrival from Lille in July 2011, but he has been laid low recently by a groin injury which could require surgery.
Pardew concedes that Cabaye might only return in the New Year, which will coincide with the departure of Cheick Tiote on Africa Cup of Nations duty for the Ivory Coast.
And the 51-year-old has lamented the latest injury blow that leaves his squad "stretched" ahead of the hectic festive period.
"It could be we run all the way to the end of January before I have my first team to pick from," Pardew said.
"When Cabaye comes back, Cheick will be gone. It is tough for us at the minute.
"Cabaye might possibly have to have a little surgery on that groin. You have seasons when you lose players and you have to be able to cope with it.
"If I had everybody available then losing Cabaye would not be such a blow. At the minute we cannot afford to lose anybody."
Pardew pointed out that he has only had a full compliment of players for the game with Sunderland this season as injuries and suspensions have depleted his squad.
He should at least welcome back Jonas Gutierrez for this weekend's trip to Southampton after the winger also sat out the 2-1 to Swansea on Saturday through injury.
"We have been unlucky this year," admitted Pardew. "We have lost Ryan Taylor and Haris Vuckic for more or less the season. One is bad and to lose two is tough to take and we have had suspensions.
"I can only think of one occasion when I have had everyone to pick and that was at Sunderland when I had all my senior players. I know that is what we need to do. We need our best players back.
"We are stretched this week and we have two big games and really that squad is only going to be added to by Jonas Gutierrez."
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