NEWCASTLE UNITED will be without Rolando Aarons and Cheick Tiote when they line up at Southampton on Saturday – with Alan Pardew also admitting that Siem de Jong will be sidelined for at least three months.

Aarons was being lined up for a start at St Mary’s after coming off the bench to devastating effect against Crystal Palace two weeks ago, but the youngster injured his hamstring in training on Tuesday and looks like being out of action for a month.

Tiote is available again after missing the first three league matches of the season, but having made two 90-minute appearances for Ivory Coast during the recent international break, the midfielder will be restricted to a place on the bench at the weekend.

“Unfortunately, he’s (Aarons) hurt his hamstring,” said Pardew. “He’s come back from England (under-20s), and we're disappointed with that because he was flying.

"We're going to have to try to prepare him now for the next couple of weeks to getting back into the training group. That's another blow to us.

“I hope Cheick comes back tomorrow okay, but I'm a little bit disappointed that after agreeing with the manager (of Ivory Coast) that he wouldn't play 90 minutes because he hasn't really trained for us, he's played two 90 minutes. We're very disappointed with them.

“I wouldn't have thought (he will start at Southampton), not after not having a game then playing two 90 minutes games for his country. He'll certainly be in the squad if he's fit for sure.”

De Jong damaged his groin in training at the start of the international break, and it is likely to be Christmas before the Dutchman is ready to make a first-team return.

“It's difficult to assess,” said Pardew. “It's whether he has an operation on the injury which we'll probably determine this week. I'm suggesting certainly he won't be back for the next three months. After that it could be any time really.”

With Newcastle still searching for their first Premier League win of the season, Pardew accepts that he is coming under increasing pressure as he prepares to return to St Mary’s, the base for his most recent managerial job before being appointed at Newcastle.

“It's part and parcel of the Premier League,” he said. “We've not won a game yet so the teams that haven't won a game, the pressure is on those particular managers.

“More so on me because of the back end of last year when we weren't good enough, but I think we're good enough this year and I think our results will reflect that.”

Pardew also insisted that owner Mike Ashley remains as committed as ever despite renewed speculation that the sportswear magnate could once again be looking to sell the club.

“That's news to me,” said the Magpies manager. “I’ve heard no suggestion from him or any signs from him. He's obviously given us money to spend this summer which we've hopefully spent well, but only time will tell on that. They're are settling in well and that's the most important thing. His commitment to the club is as strong as it's always been.”