DWIGHT GAYLE will miss between two and three weeks after damaging his hamstrings in Saturday's 2-1 win at Brentford.

However, the news on Vurnon Anita's injury is not so positive, with the Dutchman set to be sidelined for up to three months after scans revealed ankle ligament damage.

Anita was stretchered off the pitch at Griffin Park, and Rafael Benitez's worst fears have been realised with confirmation that the 27-year-old is facing a lengthy lay-off.

Anita will be sidelined for around three months, meaning he may not be available until the final two or three weeks of the season.

His absence will cause a major headache to Benitez, as DeAndre Yedlin is now the only natural right-back on Newcastle's books.

Benitez will, however, be breathing a major sigh of relif after scans revealed Gayle's hamstring injury is not too severe.

Newcastle's leading goalscorer will miss Wednesday's FA Cup third-round replay with Birmingham City and will not be involved in Saturday's Championship game with Rotherham.

He will almost certainly sit out a possible FA Cup fourth-round tie with Oxford United if Newcastle see off Birmingham this week, but should be available when the Magpies return to league action with a home game against QPR on February 1.

Isaac Hayden was also injured at the weekend, but while the midfielder's groin injury will rule him out of Wednesday's game, he could be fit to face Rotherham at the weekend.