Kinnear's striker options reduced

Newcastle's Spanish striker Xisco has been ruled out for at least three weeks with a groin injury he picked up in training.

The ex-Deportivo La Coruna star suffered the strain when he slipped at a rain-soaked club training session last week.

It is a bitter blow to the player as he has struggled to make an impact since his transfer deadline day switch from the La Liga side.

Xisco scored on his Magpies debut in the 2-1 defeat to Hull City, but has not started a match for the club since September 27 with Joe Kinnear revealing that the Spanish Under-21 ace had been struggling to find his form.