Newcastle United have just three fit defenders ahead of Wednesday ’ s visit of Manchester United . The Magpies have confirmed that left back Massadio Haidara will miss the game after picking up a knee injury during Saturday ’ s 1-0 victory over Aston Villa . Midfielder Ryan Taylor is set to deputise after replacing the stricken Frenchman at the weekend . Ryan Taylor looks set to start against Manchester United after Massadio Haidara sustained a knee injury . Taylor ( centre ) has made just four Premier League appearances since the start of the season . Haidara had to be carried off on a stretcher during Newcastle 's 1-0 win against Aston Villa . Head coach John Carver is already without Steven Taylor and Paul Dummett , while Davide Santon and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa were allowed to leave the club in January . And he said : ‘ We thought Haidara might be available but he 's got a bit of fluid on the knee and has been for an injection , so he almost certainly won ’ t make it . ‘ We 're short of defenders and we 've not got many possibilities , so Ryan comes into contention and he filled that role very well the other day . ‘ But with another injury I 'll have to start to try pulling rabbits out of a hat. ’ When asked if he had been left short by the club ’ s failure to bring in January reinforcements , Carver said : ‘ The squad itself is big enough , we 've just been so unfortunate with these injuries . ‘ You normally have three or four of these long-term injuries per season , but we 've had more than that with nine already . ‘ Our squad at the start of the season was in a healthy position , the only thing you can do is go into the out-of-contract market and it might be something we look at , but not yet. ’ Papiss Cisse will be hoping to add to his first-half winner against Aston Villa when he faces Man United . John Carver is all smiles as he puts his players through their paces ahead of Wednesday 's match .
Aston Villa 's Ryan Taylor looks set to replace the injured Massadio Haidara . Haidara will miss game after picking up a knee injury against Newcastle . John Carver believes his side have been 'unfortunate ' with injuries .