Butt sidelined until new year

NEWCASTLE midfielder Nicky Butt will be sidelined until the new year after a scan revealed tendinitis in his hamstring.

Manager Graeme Souness will be without his holding midfield player for up to six weeks after medics finally diagnosed the problem which has hampered him since his £2.5m switch from Manchester United during the summer.

Butt will be joined on the sidelines by skipper Alan Shearer for tomorrow’s Premiership trip to leaders Chelsea.

Shearer has had to admit defeat in his bid to return early from a thigh strain.