Eddie Howe laments Newcastle's depleted squad and claims 'there wasn't much we could do' about fatigue in 4-1 loss at Tottenham... as Magpies boss warns 'we can't afford' any more players getting injured

Eddie Howe wore the look of a man whose worst fears were finally upon him.

Newcastle United had defied logic to keep going despite their injury crisis as if carried forward by momentum, willpower and the roar of the Geordie faithful but it was simply unrealistic to keep it going.

The damage was going to catch up with them eventually and it has. Tottenham's four-goal haul could easily have been heavier against their weary visitors who conceded three just five days earlier at Everton.

'A difficult afternoon,' admitted Howe as he digested the defeat at Spurs which leaves his team seven points adrift of the top four. 'We probably expected it to come a little bit earlier than it has.

'The players have done so well to keep going through a very congested period with some very hard fixtures. We beat Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. Then we've had Everton and Tottenham away in short period and we haven't been at our best.

'That's evident for everyone to see. Physically we looked fatigued and there wasn't much we could do about it. We're in a difficult position at the minute but we have to keep going. The more players we get back the better, everyone is so important.'

Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff returned from the bench, although the team was already three down when they came on. Tottenham led 2-0 at half-time through goals by Destiny Udogie and Richarlison, who added the third on the hour. Heung-min Son made it 4-0 with a penalty and Joelinton reduced the deficit in the 90th minute.

'They will be better for today, a good 30 minutes,' said Howe, of Wilson and Longstaff. 'It's a big lift to get them back and hopefully more to come.'

Newcastle were relieved to see Wilson emerge unhurt from a heavy challenge by Tottenham centre-half Cristian Romero.

'I don't want to see players sent off unless it's dangerous,' said Howe. 'It looked high and reckless. I'm pleased Callum wasn't affected by it. You're always fearing the worst when a player goes down. We can't afford any more injuries.'

Kieran Trippier will miss Saturday's game at home to Fulham after collecting his fifth yellow card of the Premier League season but first Newcastle have a decisive Champions League tie, at home to AC Milan on Wednesday, when they must win and hope Paris Saint-Germain do not win at Borussia Dortmund.

'It's another big game,' said Howe. 'The players are used to it, big games with minimal rest. All we can do is take the next challenge on.'