Newcastle face losing without influential midfielder Ki Sung-Yeung for nine games.

The South Korean international will be called up by his nation for the Asia Cup and Newcastle have to release him

Ki could play his last game for six weeks against Fulham next weekend, although negotiations are taking place to let him report for duty later.

It is a huge blow, especially with Jonjo Shelvey seeing a specialist about an injury last week after several games out already.

Ki said he was ready to retire from internationals in the summer but admitted: "I’ll go away for the Asian Cup.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

"By the FIFA rules, you go two weeks before the first game [South Korea against Philippines on January 7 in Dubai] so it could be after next week.

"It’s too many games I’ll be missing! If we reach the final, semi-final… The final is on February 1, so it’s quite a long time. But I don’t want to be greedy, because we have good players.

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"It’s crucial for my country. They haven’t won it for nearly 60 years [since 1960]. I can’t be in two places at once.

(Image: Gareth Copley)

"I’m happy we’ve put this run of form together before I leave. I don’t know when I’m going to leave, because there are not many games left in which I can play.

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"I try to win every game and then of course I feel a little sorry for the team, as they’re in the middle of the season, but at least we’re in good shape.

"I don’t know when I come back if my place will be there, but I’m very pleased and satisfied so far with the teams and everything I play for."