Newcastle United are experiencing some striker woes with news that Alan Smith is set to be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Magpies boss Alan Pardew confirmed that Smith, who has made just 10 league appearances this term, has succumbed to an ankle injury and will now be forced out until next season.
"It's sad news for Alan because it's an ankle he's had problems with and we think he'll probably be out for the rest of the season," he told Press Association Sport.
"Because he's had a dislocation and a break on that ankle before, when you get a heavy blow like he did it's a very low recovery rate. That's why we think it will take so long.
"He's such a great lad, so popular in the dressing room, he's going to be a big miss for us just as a person so it's a double blow really. But knowing Smudger, he'll recover as quickly as he can and be back playing."
