The loss of Martins to injury is a further blow to crisis club Newcastle

Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins will be out of action for up to six weeks with a knee injury.

The Nigeria international sustained the problem, around his right tibia and knee joint, in Wednesday's 2-1 Carling Cup third-round loss at home to Spurs.

The 23-year-old had only just returned to action after four matches out.

"He'll be out for about six weeks," said coach Chris Hughton, who denied Ignacio Gonzalez's Achilles injury will sideline him for five months.

Newspaper reports had claimed the Uruguayan midfielder, on loan from Valencia, would be out of action until February with the problem, but Hughton told the club website they were wide of the mark.

606: DEBATE I thought things couldn't get any worse, but they just have geordie4life

The club have yet to appoint a permanent successor to manager Kevin Keegan, with Terry Venables this week refusing the opportunity to step in temporarily, and owner Mike Ashley has publicly put the club up for sale following barracking from the club's fans.

The unrest has also hit the club's form on the pitch, with one win in their first five league games leaving them second from bottom in the Premier League, while only 20,577 supporters turned up at St James' Park to watch Wednesday's defeat to Tottenham.