Source: PA
Problems mount for Pardew
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is facing mounting injury problems after revealing Alan Smith could be out for the season while Andy Carroll's thigh strain means he is likely to miss at least the next two weeks.
Midfielder Smith limped out of last weekend's 1-1 draw with Sunderland after hurting his ankle, and complications from a previous injury mean his absence is likely to be far longer than first thought.
Pardew told Press Association Sport: "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. That's why we think it will take so long.
"He's such a great lad, so popular in the dressing room, he's going to be a big miss for us just as a person so it's a double blow really. But knowing Smudger, he'll recover as quickly as he can and be back playing."
