Sammy Ameobi suffers injury blow

Newcastle midfielder Sammy Ameobi could be sidelined for several months by an injury suffered on reserve team duty.

The 19-year-old limped off during Tuesday's second string victory over Wigan and could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

A club spokesman said: "Sammy Ameobi will be sidelined for a period of time, likely to be a number of months, as a result of an injury sustained in the reserves' win over Wigan."

The England Under-21 international, the younger brother of Magpies striker Shola, left the field during the second half of a 3-1 victory over the Latics with initial reports suggesting he had damaged a knee.

Ameobi has emerged as a promising member of the first team squad this season, and has made 13 appearances, 12 of them from the bench.

He scored his first - and to date, only - senior goal for the club in a 2-1 Carling Cup second-round victory at Scunthorpe on August 25, and made his full Barclays Premier League debut at Manchester City on November 19.

News of his injury will come as a huge blow to manager Alan Pardew, who already has defender Steven Taylor and midfielder Sylvain Marveaux on the long-term injured list.

However, with Hatem Ben Arfa now back fit and Danny Guthrie approaching a return, he at least has some positive news.