Newcastle United midfielder Alan Smith looks set to miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury.
The 30-year-old sustained the injury during the Tyne-Wear derby at the weekend and, despite the player leaving the Stadium of Light on crutches, Magpies boss Alan Pardew had been hoping the injury would not prove to be too serious.
However, Smith has damaged the same ankle he broke and dislocated when he suffered a horrific injury while playing for Manchester United in 2006, and that previous injury is expected to cause some complications in his recovery.
Disappointed Toon boss Pardew said: “It's sad news for Alan because it's an ankle he's had problems with and we think he'll probably be out for the rest of the season.
“Because he's had a dislocation and a break on that ankle before, when you get a heavy blow like he did it's a very low recovery rate.”