Ameobi facing a month out

Newcastle are hopeful that a protective mask could enable Shola Ameobi to make a quicker-than-expected return from the fractured cheekbone he suffered at Charlton.

The England Under-21 international was originally expected to be out for six weeks but the Magpies are hopeful he could return in four weeks’ time.

The club are already without Craig Bellamy, who is not expected back until February and Lomana LuaLua will not be available from mid-January because of the African Nations Cup.

Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson told icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk: “Shola’s injury is bad news for us.

“It looked like an elbow, but an accidental one. These things happen but it does look a bit gloomy for him.”