Newcastle fear Duff may be out for six months
Newcastle are keeping their fingers crossed amid fears winger Damien Duff could be sidelined for up to six months.
The 28-year-old Republic of Ireland international underwent surgery on a foot injury late last week and is beginning his rehabilitation.
Duff's operation is the 13th for the club this season and while the Magpies believe it has been a success and are hoping he could be ready to resume early in the new season, the word from Dublin, where he is recuperating, is not so positive.
Reports from Ireland suggest the former Blackburn and Chelsea midfielder could be out of action for six months, and that would come as a major blow as Newcastle attempt to bounce back from a difficult campaign.
A club statement said: 'Damien Duff has undergone a foot operation following the injury sustained during Newcastle United's game at Portsmouth on April 14.
'The Republic of Ireland international has been sidelined since the game at Fratton Park, but underwent surgery on his injured right foot last Friday.
'The operation was a success, and left-winger Duff is now recuperating back in Dublin.'
It is Duff's second operation of the season after he underwent a procedure to repair damaged knee cartilage.
The £5million signing from Chelsea has struggled to make the impact he was expected to in his first campaign at St James' Park after Glenn Roeder swooped to bring him back north last summer.
He was signed as an out-and-out winger, but has at times had to play as a striker and at left-back as injuries have decimated the squad.
Newcastle are currently in the process of recruiting Roeder's successor following his resignation last Sunday with Sam Allardyce in pole position.
But whoever eventually lands the job will be keen to have Duff back at his disposal as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, Newcastle skipper Scott Parker has become the latest player to join the injured list after undergoing surgery to repair a hernia.
The 26-year-old midfielder has travelled to Germany for the operation and will miss the club's final game of the season at Watford on Sunday.
However, he is expected to be fit for the start of pre-season training in July.
Parker's operation is the 14th undergone by a Magpies player this season after the club confirmed winger Duff had surgery on a foot injury last Friday.
Newcastle hope he will be fit early in the new season, but reports from Ireland, where he is recuperating, suggest he could be sidelined for up to six months.