Summer signing Siem de Jong has been ruled out of action for a ‘number of months’ after the Newcastle striker picked up a thigh injury during training.

De Jong joined the Magpies from Ajax in July for a fee believed to be around £6million in July and has since made three appearances in all competitions with just one of them coming as a start.

The Holland international suffered a thigh injury in training last week and is set to undergo tests next week to reveal the full extent of the problem.

Medical staff at St James’ Park as keen to allow the 25-year-old as much time as possible to recover before sending him for scans to hopefully gain a clearer picture of the injury.

A Newcastle spokesperson confirmed: “Initial indications are that he is likely to be out for a number of months.”

Boss Alan Pardew has now been left short in terms of attack with talented French creative midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa leaving the club on loan to Hull on transfer deadline day.

Pardew may be forced to look to the untested new recruits Ayoze Perez and Facundo Ferreyra to help try and plug the gap left by De Jong.

The former West Ham manager may also look to use Remy Cabella a bit further forward to add some much needed pace to his frontline.

De Jong has suffered with a string of injuries throughout his career and missed much of last season for Ajax, while having to watch on from the sidelines during the pre-season campaign for Newcastle who are valued at 9.10 to be relegated.