Newcastle's Steven Taylor sidelined 'a couple of months' with hamstring injury

Newcastle defender Steven Taylor will be out for at least two months following an operation on a hamstring injury, according to a statement on Newcastle United's official website.

The veteran centre-back has missed the club's last two Premier League matches - a comprehensive 6-2 demolition of Norwich City and Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby loss to Sunderland.

Hopes were that the London-born veteran wouldn't require surgery, though gaffer Steve McClaren confirmed Tuesday that the options were limited.

"He had a scan on his hamstring," McClaren told the club's website. "He's had a small operation to repair the damage and unfortunately it looks like he'll be out for a couple of months."

With Taylor out for an extended spell, the pressure will be on the centre-back pairing of Fabricio Coloccini and summer signing Chancel Mbemba to stay fit, with Mike Williamson the only experienced first-team defender able to provide relief.