Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood will be out of action for up to three months after breaking a metatarsal in training.
Harewood has been on loan with Championship leaders Newcastle and the Magpies were hoping to extend his loan period.
But Harewood will now have surgery tomorrow and faces been sidelined for the majority of the remainder of the season.
Harewood scored six goals in 15 matches for Newcastle and they faced competition as they looked to extend his loan.
Two Premier League clubs - Hull City and his former club West Ham - had also been linked with a loan move for the 30-year-old centre forward who began his career at Nottingham Forest.
Source: PA
Source: PA