Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini set for spell on the sidelines after calf injury

Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren is facing another setback afterit emerged that captain Fabricio Coloccini could be facing a spell on thesidelines.

There is speculation that he could be out of action for up to a month.

It is understood that the 34-year-old defender picked up a calf problem during a warm-down after a 2-1 friendly victory over Norwegian side Lillestrom in La Manga at the weekend.

Coloccini had not played in the game, with January signing Jonjo Shelveywearing the armband in his place.

Newcastle's medical staff will assess the player in the run-up to the club'snext Barclays Premier League game, which will take place at Stoke on Wednesday 2 March.

By then, head coach Steve McClaren will hope to have a host of injured players back at his disposal, with Paul Dummett, Jack Colback, Vurnon Anita and Siem de Jong all bidding to be available once again.