Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi out for 'at least' four weeks

Alan Pardew has confirmed that Shola Ameobi will be out for between four to six weeks with a hamstring injury.

The striker, 30, came on towards the end of the Magpies' 1-0 victory over Wigan on Saturday when he felt the pain.

"Unfortunately we lost Shola on Saturday so he's going to be out now for, we think, four to six weeks," Pardew told the club's official website.

"That's a blow to us. He felt something after about three mins of coming on, but still played on which just goes to show you what sort of a character he is.

"He'll be a loss to us and I think our fans will see that now - how important he is when he's not there."

Newcastle have an unbeaten start to their season and currently sit fourth in the table.