Carr undergoes groin surgery

Newcastle United defender Stephen Carr has undergone a second operation in two months on his groin injury.

The 29-year-old former Republic of Ireland international limped off at half-time in last Saturday's 1-0 Barclays Premiership defeat at Fulham.

It was just his second game since returning from hernia surgery in November, and manager Graeme Souness later revealed a similar problem had forced his withdrawal.

Carr is likely to be out of action for at least a month, meaning Souness will again be short of senior players for tomorrow's visit of Blackburn to St James' Park.

Michael Owen, Scott Parker, Kieron Dyer, Shola Ameobi and Steven Taylor are all out injured, but Emre hopes to return this weekend and Craig Moore has stepped up his training after recovering from a hamstring problem which has prevented him making a competitive appearance since arriving on Tyneside during the summer.

Amady Faye remains away on international duty at the African Nations Cup with Senegal.