Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he is unsure if any of Cesc Fabregas, Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb will be fit to face Chelsea in Grand Slam Sunday.
Star midfielder Fabregas has been out of action since picking up a hamstring injury against Sevilla last month, while Flamini and Hleb have missed the last three games after suffering knocks at Aston Villa.
The midfield trio are back in light training, but Wenger insists they are all still doubtful for Sunday's tussle with title rivals Chelsea.
Robin van Persie could start against Chelsea after making a successful return to action against Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday.
The Dutchman has recovered from the knee injury which sidelined him for two months and he is keen to feature against Chelsea.
However, Wenger will wait on the advice of his medical staff before making a decision on Van Persie's involvement.
"At the moment, he does not have the green light medically," added Wenger.
"Once he gets that, we have to test him on the pitch with the other players and then we can make a decision."
"No Fabregas, no Hleb, no Van Persie, no Flamini will be back for the weekend," admitted Wenger in his post-match press conference at St James' Park.
Alexander Hleb and Mathieu Flamini have been ruled out of Arsenal's trip to Newcastle on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports 1.
Arsene Wenger's side will now be without the services of four international midfielders. Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby both missed the 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday with hamstring and back injuries respectively and will not be fit in time for the journey to Tyneside.
The impressive victory at Villa Park may have maintained the Gunners' three point lead at the top of the Premier League, but it came at a price.
Hleb picked up an Achilles/hamstring problem while Flamini has suffered a recurrence of a thigh injury. Wenger is likely to bring young Brazilian Denilson back into the first team squad after injury, whilst Lassana Diarra and Gilberto Silva also provide experienced midfield options.
Hleb and Fabregas are also unlikely to be back in contention for Arsenal's game at Middlesbrough on Sunday, but there is optimism over Flamini's chances of making a swift return. Striker Robin Van Persie will not feature in either of the North East games as he is still a couple of weeks away from recovering from a knee injury.
Pompey's current African Cup contingent [Nigeria's Kanu and John Utaka, Ghana's Sulley Muntari and Senegal's Papa Bouba Diop] are so far pencilled in to miss the Fratton Park clashes with Derby on January 19 and Chelsea on February 2.
They could also miss trips to Manchester United (January 30) and Bolton (February 9), as well as a potential FA Cup fourth-round tie on January 26.
But Benjani will be available after Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the finals.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger reveals that midfielder Alexander Hleb is a major doubt for the match against Newcastle United on Wednesday. "Alex had a hamstring problem before the [Aston Villa] game but we decided to play him. He had a recurrence and I'm not sure he will be available for Newcastle."
