Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton faces eight weeks out after undergoing foot surgery.

Barton has missed the Magpies' last three matches with the problem and has not featured since being substituted in the 3-1 home win over Plymouth Argyle last month.

He has now been forced to undergo an operation on the injury and is likely to miss the next two months of Newcastle's push for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Caretaker manager Chris Hughton said: "Joey had an exploratory operation yesterday, and the injury could keep him out for a good period of time."