Not only has Jemain Defoe had to pull out of the England under-21 squad for the Slovakia game on Friday - and, despite reports, it is far from certain he will be fit for next Tuesday's encounter with Macedonia - but Paolo Di Canio's name has been added to the injured list to go alongside that of Fredi Kanoute.
Titi Camara is away on international duty and Trevor Sinclair, who can of course operate up front as well as in midfield, is also currently crocked, hence his withdrawal from the senior England squad.
"It is a major concern with Fredi being down - and Paolo nursing his foot as well a little bit," says Paul.
"What with Titi away with Guinea as well, we haven't got one striker on the training field.
"I think Paolo will be okay. The injury is bothering him a little bit, but the physio team are pretty sure they can sort it out in time for the next game."
Paolo missed virtually all of pre-season and the start of the campaign proper with a foot injury, having worked all summer to overcome the knee injury he sustained towards the end of last season.
As for Trevor, Paul insists his injury is more severe than the term 'bruised toe' might in itself sound.
"He has got a lovely big bruise on his big toe," he says, "it really is a big bruise after he took a nasty whack against Birmingham early in the second half.
"He was hampered by that a little bit, it has certainly swollen up, and it has meant him missing the opportunity to be involved with England for the next two games - but we are hoping he will be okay for Sunderland.
"Fortunately this two week break has given those sort of players the chance to recover, but, unfortunately for us, the last thing we wanted after Saturday was a break and to be losing so many players away to international duty.
"Suddenly the work you want to do on the training field is made very difficult because the bodies aren't there, I'm afraid."
As for teenage striker Youssef Sofiane, Paul insists it is too early to be considering throwing him in at the deep end, and adds: "Youssef is an 18 year-old finding his way in the English game and unfortunately he has been hampered by a number of niggly injuries at the moment as well."
That leaves, in an emergency, the prospect of Joe Cole playing as a striker - a position he has also occupied this season.
Paul is dismayed that he was not called up for the full England squad this week, and says: "Unfortunately Joe got omitted, which is a little bit harsh I think, because he has certainly been in decent form.
"But this is what it is about. There are opinions to be had in the game of football and Mr. Eriksson has got his opinion."