Hull City captain Robert Koren has been ruled out for up to eight weeks after scans on a painful foot revealed the midfielder has suffered a hairline fracture of a bone in his foot.
Koren has featured in all four of City`s Premier League fixtures so far this season despite the injury which is thought to have occurred during the season opener at Chelsea. As a result, Koren may not be seen in a City shirt again until Crystal Palace visits the KC on 23 November.
Koren`s absence is not City`s only concern on the eve of a visit to Newcastle as the club looks to end a winless run on the road stretching to 26 games in the top flight. Left back Maynor Figueroa has been allowed to return to his native Honduras on compassionate grounds whilst Joe Dudgeon and Paul McShane also have slight knocks and are unlikely to feature in City`s eighteen man squad.
Midfielder Robbie Brady was also considered a doubt for City this weekend but the Irishman should be fit to start.
The raft of injuries will give a number of players a new chance in the first-team. Liam Rosenior will be expected to come into the team but in a slightly unconventional left-back position whilst Stephen Quinn, David Meyler and George Boyd will be in contention to start in midfield in the absence of Koren.
Newcastle also have injury worries with Steven Taylor out with a hamstring injury whilst Jonas Gutierrez and Shola Ameobi will also miss Saturday`s fixture.
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This is a real blow – Koren had started very well this season. For me, it should be Quinn in midfield ahead of either Boyd or Meyler. Quinn has looked promising when coming on as a substitute in the last two games.