Newcastle's Andy Carroll to see specialist over injury

Andy Carroll could not continue training in Portugal

Andy Carroll will fly to Sweden and see a specialist about the thigh problem that has forced him out of Newcastle's training camp in Portugal.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew had hoped the striker would be fit for their next match at Fulham on Wednesday.

Pardew told BBC Radio Newcastle: "Now I have to say that Fulham is definitely out and maybe Arsenal [5 February].

"We have had a consultation this week to send him to the world's best tendon repair expert."

Carroll, 22, had scored 11 goals this season before the tear in his thigh muscle.

Pardew added: "We brought him to Portugal to start running and disappointingly he hasn't.

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"His injury is in the muscle just above the tendon where it joins the knee so it's not an area that gets great circulation. Therefore, it doesn't heal quickly."

Newcastle had earlier sent Carroll to Dubai in the hope that a warm weather break would speed up his recovery ahead of the derby against Sunderland on Sunday, 16 January. Carroll's last game for the Magpies was at Tottenham on 28 December.

There are also concerns about midfielder Dan Gosling, who has suffered a reaction to his return from a long-term knee injury. Gosling made a comeback as a substitute at Sunderland but may now require exploratory surgery.