Newcastle defender Steven Taylor will be sidelined for two months after undergoing surgery on a hamstring problem.
The 29-year-old has missed the last two games because of the injury, and has now undergone a minor procedure to address the issue.
Coach Steve McClaren said: "Taylor had a scan on his hamstring, the tendon. He had an issue, he's had a small operation to knit the tendon together, so it's a blow because he'll be out for a couple of months."
Taylor has made only two appearances to date this season with McClaren deciding to pair skipper Fabricio Coloccini with summer signing Chancel Mbemba at the heart of his defence, although the loss of an experienced home-grown player leaves a big hole in the head coach's cover.