Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has revealed that Yohan Cabaye may require an operation to correct his groin injury.
The midfielder sustained the problem while on international duty with France recently.
Despite reports claiming that he could return before Christmas, Pardew does not expect to have the 26-year-old available until January at the earliest.
"Cabaye might possibly have to have a little surgery on that groin. You have seasons when you lose players and you have to be able to cope with it," Pardew told the Shields Gazette.
"If I had everybody available then losing Cabaye would not be such a blow. At the minute we cannot afford to lose anybody."
Cabaye has made 10 appearances for the Magpies this season, scoring two goals.
