Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said Tuesday he expects to be without France midfielder Yohan Cabaye until February at the earliest.
Cabaye, who had an operation in Paris on Monday, is set to undergo further surgery on a troublesome groin injury within the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Newcastle central defender Steven Taylor is facing a similarly lengthy spell on the sidelines after damaging his hamstring during Sunday's 2-0 Premier League defeat at Southampton.
Newcastle, 14th in the table and just four points above the relegation zone, currently have 11 senior players out of action.