Newcastle keeper Steve Harper is expected to be out for three months after undergoing successful surgery on Wednesday.
Keeper undergoes successful shoulder surgery
Newcastle keeper Steve Harper is expected to be out for three months after undergoing successful shoulder surgery.
Wednesday's surgery comes after the keeper was carried off on a stretcher in the first period of the 1-0 win at Everton on Saturday.
He was injured after a challenge by Jermaine Beckford, who was booked by referee Andre Marriner. Although the tackle was not a particularly bad one, the keeper came down heavily on his left shoulder and immediately looked in distress.
Newcastle have now confirmed the 35-year-old has undergone surgery and he faces an extended spell on the sidelines.
A statement on the club's official website said: "Following a shoulder ligament injury sustained in United's game against Everton on Saturday, Steve Harper has undergone a successful operation on Wednesday.
"It is likely Steve will be unavailable for selection for a period of around 12 weeks."
It means Harper is unlikely to figure for Newcastle's first team again until the middle of December - and is likely to mean an extended run in the side for Tim Krul.
Krul replaced Harper at Goodison Park and was also in goal for Wednesday night's 4-3 Carling Cup third round success over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
