Newcastle United manager John Carver has confirmed that Dutch forward Siem de Jong will miss this weekend's all-important clash against QPR.

Carver confirmed that the £6million signing, who has had a horror season with injuries, not on the casualties list anymore but insists that the game against the already-relegated R's will come too soon for him.

"He's not actually out injured, he just needs to strengthen up the quad muscle," Carver said.

"So it was touch and go whether he was available this weekend, but if gets through the next couple of days (of training) he could be available for the West Ham game next Sunday."

The Magpies will travel to Loftus Road with just a two-point cushion on third-bottom Hull City.