Newcastle Utd’s Siem de Jong out injured again

Newcastle United’s £6m summer signing has suffered a leg injury.

And the problem is being assessed ahead of next weekend’s game against Southampton.

Luckless De Jong – who had a long spell out with Ajax last term after suffering a collapsed lung – has already been troubled by calf and toe problems since linking up with his new club in July.

And the 25-year-old’s injury will trouble United’s under-fire manager Alan Pardew, who loaned forward Hatem Ben Arfa to Hull City on transfer deadline day.

Newcastle failed to sign the extra striker that many fans felt the club needed before the transfer window closed on Monday night.

And much attacking responsibilty will rest on the shoulders of vice-captain de Jong, who was signed for his vision, passing and goalscoring.

The Holland international – who has been used as a No10 so far by Pardew – is set undergo a scan, but he isn’t expected to be fit for the club’s visit to the St Mary’s Stadium on September 13.

And Sportmail understands that de Jong, and the club, fear that injury could sideline for a longer period.

Jack Colback’s calf problem is also being assessed by United’s medical team.

The midfielder was forced out of England’s squad for Monday night’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland in Basel by the problem.

Colback – who also missed Wednesday night’s 1-0 friendly win over Norway – had been hoping to earn his first cap for his country.

“He took a very nasty kick on the back of the calf,” said England coach Roy Hodgson.

“We were hoping he would train with us, but he can’t do that, so it’s better to send him back to Newcastle.”

Meanwhile, Cheik Tiote, yet to appear for Newcastle this season, is pencilled in to return against Southampton.

The midfielder has been called up for the Ivory Coast’s African Nations Cup qualifiers, but it is not clear whether he will feature for his country during the international break.

Pardew said last week that Tiote – who had a hamstring problem – was edging closer to full fitness.

The 28-year-old – who had been linked with a move away from the club in the summer transfer window – made just one pre-season appearance for United.