While the scramble for a new manager continues in the St James’ Park boardroom, down in the dressing room, caretaker boss Chris Hughton has been hit by the news that Obafemi Martins faces six weeks or more on the sidelines.

The striker returned to action against Spurs on Wednesday following a knee injury but woke on Thursday to find he had suffered a severe reaction.

“My right knee is very swollen, so much so that I can’t contemplate how long I will be out for,” revealed Martins.

“I have been told by the doctors here that I could be out for another six weeks, but when they said ‘could’ — you know it’s bad,” he added.

This latest blow leaves Hughton with just Owen, Ameobi and Xisco fit to spearhead Newcastle’s efforts to fight their way out of the bottom three.

Meanwhile The Sun is also reporting that Ignacio Gonzalez, the Uruguayan midfielder on loan at the club, is out until February with an Achilles injury.

Right now it’s hard to see Newcastle finding the form and confidence to play themselves out of this hole. Owen’s goals will give them hope but I for one, really can’t see that being enough. Blackburn visit St James’ Park this weekend and Ince must fancy his chances of coming away with the points. Rovers are hardly firing on all cylinders but they’ve already proven at Everton on the opening day that they can do the business on their travels. I can see a narrow away win with Santa in profit.