Newcastle United midfielder Jack Colback could reportedly be sidelined until the New Year with a knee injury.
Initial reports claimed that the 26-year-old would miss a few weeks of action, but now it is feared that Colback could be on the treatment table for months.
Colback suffered the injury after he was tackled by Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole during last weekend's 3-0 defeat to the Black Cats in the Wear-Tyne derby.
According to The Shields Gazette, Colback is waiting to consult with a specialist after undergoing a scan this week, but there are concerns in the Newcastle camp that manager Steve McClaren will be without the midfielder until January.
The Magpies are second from bottom in the Premier League table after claiming just one win in 10 games.