Newcastle suffer injury blow as Fabricio Coloccini feared out for over a month

Newcastle's chances of survival have taken yet another blow with captain Fabricio Coloccini set to be on the sidelines after suffering an injury while training. The defender, who is currently with the side on a mid-season break in Spain, injured himself during warm-up after the friendly against Lillestrom.

The Mirror reports that the player could be out for over a month to recover from the injury, which could also spell an end to his captaincy at the club, depending on the results during his absence. Jonjo Shelvey, who came in from Swansea in January, was given the captain's armband in the friendly and manager Steve McClaren may choose to continue with the setup in the upcoming games, in light of the club's form. The latest injury takes their tally of players on the treatment table to 12, a major blow given their struggles in the league.

The Magpies are currently struggling third from the bottom in the league and have a tough game against Stoke City lined up in the weekend. They are level on points with Norwich, who are ahead on goal difference, but a spate of injuries has left them short of options and the manager needs some inspiration from the remaining members of the team to get them out of the difficult situation.

Meanwhile, Lillestrom hero Rolando Aarons believes Newcastle's training camp in Spain was a major success and it will help them get into the groove when the Premier League resumes next weekend. Aarons scored the winner with a clever winner and will be desperate to hold a place down for himself in the starting XI.

"We were playing against opposition we're not used to, on a very dry surface, but it was a very good workout to end a good few days of training," the goalscoring winger told Newcastle's official website.

"It was one of those games we just had to win. We had to do a job and there were lots of positives to take. For me, I got a goal - my first this season, although it doesn't really count!

"I'm not known for my headers! It was a good ball in from (Jamie) Sterry, I flicked it on and it went in the top corner. I love scoring goals so I'm happy I got one."