Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dwight Gayle have both been ruled out of Newcastle United's game with Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend, the club has confirmed.
The two players left the field with head injuries during Tuesday night's EFL Cup victory over Cheltenham Town, and according to Football Association guidelines, they must now miss the next competitive fixture.
In a statement on their official website, Newcastle said: "Newcastle can confirm that Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dwight Gayle will miss the club's Sky Bet Championship fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, after both players suffered concussions during the Magpies' midweek EFL Cup game against Cheltenham Town.
"The club is adhering to the FA's Concussion Guidelines, which stipulate a phased 'return to play' protocol over a period of at least six days before players resume competitive football."
Paul Catterson, Newcastle's head of sports medicine and science, added: "The treatment and management of concussion in sport has received deserved attention in recent years.
"We have to adhere to the guidelines set out by the FA in line with other competitive sports, which rightly puts the safety and health of players first."
Newcastle could oust Brighton from the second automatic promotion spot in the Championship if they win at St James' Park on Saturday.
Neil Wilkes
