Soccer:Newcastle striker Leon Best is to undergo an ankle operation on Friday and will miss the rest of the season, the Premier League club has confirmed.
The 24-year-old, who has scored six goals this season from 10 starts, had missed the Magpies' last two games with the injury.
Best was examined by the club's medical staff and it was decided he should travel to London for the operation.
He has made 11 appearances this season and netted a hat-trick against West Ham in January and also scored in the dramatic 4-4 draw with Arsenal and the 2-0 win at Birmingham.
His latest goal came in his last appearance, the 2-1 home loss to Everton in last month.
The Republic of Ireland player had been given his chance after the sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool but the injury will be seen as a blow to his hopes of establishing himself in the St James' Park first team.
