Striker facing spell out

Nile Ranger's chances of earning a loan move away from Newcastle have been hit by the news he has picked up a knee injury.

Ranger has been told he does not figure in the plans of Magpies boss Alan Pardew, who is keen to move him out on loan after failing to sell before the transfer window closed. However Ranger is believed to have picked up a knee injury that could keep him on the sidelines for up to four weeks, which is sure to dent any hopes of a move. There are doubts over whether a loan move would happen anyway as the player is already thought to have rejected the chance to move back to Sheffield Wednesday, while he also rejected a permanent move to Blackpool last season. Newcastle want Ranger off the wage bill but the forward still has three-and-a-half years left on his five-year deal and could have every intention of seeing it out.