Steven Davis has been ruled out of Saturday’s game against Newcastle with an ankle injury.

The Northern Ireland captain could miss up to three weeks of action, though Ronald Koeman remains optimistic he could be back much sooner.

The good news is that Shane Long is ready to return after missing last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Leicester.

Koeman said: “Steven Davis is not fit.

“He got an injury out of the Leicester game and is not fit for the weekend.

“Shane Long is back in the team for the weekend but no other news.”

Speaking of the severity of the Davis injury, Koeman added: “I don’t know. What I heard normally he will be out for two or three weeks and I don’t know if he is available for next weekend.

“I hope he will be fit for next weekend but we must wait.”