Get all the very latest news in Ireland straight to your email every single day Sign up! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Gabriel Obertan is out for four months after having surgery on his ruptured thigh.

The French winger had an operation on Thursday and won't play again until March in a major blow to player and Newcastle United.

Obertan had emerged as a key player for Alan Pardew, but he will have to rejig his starting XI.

Sammy Ameobi is likely to be handed the chance to fill Obertan's role against West Brom at the weekend.

Obertan pulled up in agony sprinting for a ball against Liverpool, after it appeared he had put a disappointing spell on Tyneside behind him.

Ameobi is keen to step up saying: "I want to start for Newcastle every week, so I've got to make the most of this opportunity and make sure I don't slip up.

"I'm not going to let that go this time. I'm not a kid anymore, and I realise that.

"It's one thing being told you have all this talent, but I'm at an age when I have to produce it. I'm a grown man and it's not about potential anymore, it's about actually doing something.

"I have to start playing like a man and acting like a man, and hopefully this season can be the start of that."

Northern Ireland winger Shane Ferguson is also out for weeks after damaging his ankle, meaning he is not available for international duty.