• France international may be sidelined for four to six weeks • Midfielder joins list of long-term injured at the Tyneside club

Newcastle United's manager Alan Pardew fears Yohan Cabaye could be sidelined until the new year.

The France midfielder sustained a groin injury on international duty and it appears the player may be out for longer than expected.

"Cabaye looks like he could be out four to six weeks," said Pardew. "He might possibly have to have a little surgery on that groin. It could be we run all the way to the end of January before I have my first team to pick from."

Pardew is already missing Ryan Taylor, Dan Gosling and Haris Vuckic to longer-term injuries. The concern for him is even when Cabaye gets fully fit he will still not be able to select a first-choice midfield as Cheik Tioté is likely to be involved in the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.

"When Cabaye comes back, Cheik will be gone. It is tough for us at the minute," Pardew added. "You have seasons when you lose players and you have to be able to cope with it.

"If I had everybody available then losing Cabaye would not be such a blow. At the minute we cannot afford to lose anybody."