Defender Taylor, whose outstanding form could have brought him a first full England call-up in February, said: “I’m absolutely devastated. I’ve been here before with my shoulder injury and I’m just focused on working hard and getting back after the operation. I’ll just have to get fit again.

“There’s no point in rushing it – I just have to make sure I’m right. I thought someone had kicked me, but when I turned around there was no one there. I’ve never felt anything like it. It was so sore. I didn’t know what was going on.”

Newcastle’s terrific start is now threatened by a spate of injuries, with Fabricio Coloccini, Leon Best, Cheick Tiote and Mike Williamson all sidelined.