Newcastle without Massadio Haidara for the rest of season due to knee surgery

Newcastle will be without full-back Massadio Haidara for the rest of the season as he recovers from knee surgery.

Haidara, a France U21 international, underwent an operation to remove a cyst from his knee on Thursday and Magpies manager John Carver confirmed the 22-year-old will play no further part in the campaign.

Carver said: "Sadio Haidara had a cyst taken off his knee last Thursday in France and he won't be available for the rest of the season."

Live Ford Super Sunday

Carver is alreay without injured defenders Steven Taylor and Paul Dummett but better news comes in attack with Mehdi Abeid and Rolando Aarons close to returning from thigh and hamstring problems respectively.

Ahead of Sunday's derby with Sunderland, Carver said: "We have had a good week with Mehdi Abeid and Rolando Aarons, but we are going to be careful. Rolando won't be in the squad this weekend, but Mehdi Abeid will be."

Watch Sunderland v Newcastle, Sunday 4pm, Sky Sports 1