The England youth international, who had broken into the Magpies' under-21 side in recent weeks, suffered a dislocated shoulder in the first half of a 2-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

Lewis McNall and Lewis Gibson have both been sidelined of late and now Dave Watson must face up to the likely absence of another key player for the next few matches.

West Brom could have taken the lead long before they finally broke the deadlock on Saturday, hitting the woodwork two times through Ramis Nabi and Alex Bradley.

Just after the quarter-of-an-hour mark, the visitors struck the frame of the goal again as Evan Pierce's header bounced against the bar, but was then deflected over the line with goalkeeper Nathan Harker unable to keep the ball out.

Then came Heaney's injury, which saw him stretchered off after lengthy treatement and replaced by Mace Goodridge.

In the 60th minute, West Brom got their second as Samfron Dool fired home and the Black Country outfit could have extended their lead in the remaining half an hour.

United have trips to Everton and Wolves coming up ahead of next month's Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland at Little Benton, while an FA Youth Cup third round tie against Portsmouth is also due to be played by mid-December. 

Newcastle United Under-18s: Nathan Harker, Craig Spooner, Adam Wilson, Matty Longstaff, Lewis Cass, Yannick Aziakonou, Owen Gallacher, Daniel Lowther, Thomas Allan, Mackenzie Heaney (Mace Goodridge 40), Callum Smith

Subs not used: Otto Huuhtanen, Oliver Long, Kieran Aplin, Jack Robson