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Newcastle handed Gouffran injury boost

Yoan Gouffran enjoyed mixed fortunes against Spurs - scoring his first Newcastle goal but also picking up an injury © Getty Images

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Newcastle forward Yoan Gouffran could be fit to play in Newcastle's next Premier League game, after scans revealed the shin injury he suffered against Tottenham on Saturday is not as serious as first feared.

Gouffran was taken to hospital after an accidental clash with Spurs full-back Kyle Walker, leading to concerns that he may have suffered a broken leg in the incident, which occured in the second half of Newcastle's 2-1 defeat.

Yet Pardew has confirmed his January transfer window signing is merely nursing a 'heavy blow' to the shin after positive news from X-rays conducted at a London hospital on Saturday.

"It's not as serious as it could be, so that is positive news," Pardew said. "Yoan was fantastic for us at Tottenham and his exit changed the course of the game, but hopefully he will not be our for long."

Meanwhile, Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote has conceded he may face a wait to get back into Pardew's starting XI, after returning to the North East following his stint at the African Nations Cup with Ivory Coast.

The stunning form of Moussa Sissoko since his arrival in January means Tiote may not be an automatic pick for Pardew in the coming months, but the combative midfielder seems content to wait for his chance.

"The squad has changed since I have been away and it was good for us to sign some new players because now we have much more strength in the squad and more balance as well," Tiote told Newcastle's official website.

"I cannot just come straight back in. The team have been doing well while I was away and got a couple of really good wins. All that matters is the team, not who is playing. If we are winning games then you cannot expect to just come back and play from the start."

Pardew is expected to make changes to his line-up for Thursday night's Europa League game against Metalist Kharkiv, even though his side do not have a game this weekend following their early exit from the FA Cup.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.