Smith went off injured in the first half against Sunderland

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says midfielder Alan Smith could be out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury he picked up against Sunderland.

Smith, 30, had a scan on his injured ankle on Wednesday and complications from a previous injury mean he is likely to be out for an extended spell.

Pardew said: "It's an ankle he's had problems with, we think he'll probably be out for the rest of the season.

"When you get a heavy blow like he did it's a very low recovery rate."

Smith was forced out of Sunday's 1-1 draw against Sunderland after 37 minutes, leaving the field on crutches and with his ankle in a supportive brace.

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He dislocated the same ankle and also broke his leg in February 2006, while playing for Manchester United.

On that occasion, Smith was injured simply blocking a free-kick in an FA Cup match against Liverpool. He was out for eight months but it took 18 months for him to fully recover.

Smith, who joined the club in 2007 from Manchester United, has made 13 appearances so far this season.

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