Newcastle United have learned skipper Fabricio Coloccini could be out for up to five weeks.
The Argentine defender suffered a muscle tear after heading in Newcastle's second goal during the win at West Brom.
And after further examination the Magpies are making plans to be without their captain up until Christmas.
It has also emerged that Steven Taylor is also likely to missing for three more weeks through the injury which kept him out of the trip to the Hawthorns.
The situation prompted manager Alan Pardew to recall Remie Streete from his loan at Port Vale.
Mike Williamson and Paul Dummett are the likeliest starters at the heart of the defence to face QPR this Saturday.
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