Newcastle is facing the possibility of having to play the majority of Friday night’s European Champions Cup tie against Edinburgh with only 14 men, because of an injury crisis at tighthead prop.
They have named their squad to face Edinburgh with David Wilson picked to start at tighthead, despite fitness concerns over the former England international.
Trevor Davison, who does have some experience of playing at tighthead, has been named on the bench but he, too, is an injury doubt.
The Falcons said on Thursday that Jon Welsh, Craig Mitchell and Paul Mullen all suffered injuries in a 24-hour period this week.
Mark Wilson, who fans voted England’s player of this year’s Quilter series, will also be out with an ear infection while also out for Newcastle are Kyle Cooper, Sean Robinson, Nemani Nagusa, Michael Young, Will Welch and Joel Hodgson.