Mike Williamson will sit out the closing three games of the season after breaking his arm in training.
Defender will miss final three games of the season for the Magpies
Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson will sit out the closing three games of the season after breaking his arm in training.
Williamson suffered the injury on Thursday morning and he will undergo an operation in the afternoon to repair the broken bone in his forearm.
The injury means Williamson will miss Saturday's fixture against Birmingham City and the matches against Chelsea and West Brom.
Manager Alan Pardew said: "It's a freak injury and unfortunate for the big fella, and he is going to miss now the end part of the season.
Disappointed
"He has a slight weakness on that arm, which he has hurt before, so unfortunately, that has been the issue.
"Obviously, he is disappointed. He wanted to finish the season with us."
The 27-year-old's absence opens the door for Steven Taylor to reclaim his place in the heart of the Newcastle defence alongside Fabricio Coloccini.
Williamson, who joined the Magpies from Portsmouth in January 2010, has made 29 appearances in the Premier League this season.
Newcastle should be safe for another campaign in the top flight as Alan Pardew's side sit 12th in the table, six points above the bottom three.
