We won’t force ex-Ajax man Siem de Jong back before he’s ready say Newcastle United

And head coach John Carver believes the forward is due some good fortune on Tyneside after an injury-interrupted start to life at St James’s Park.

De Jong last week suffered a collapsed lung on the eve of his anticipated comeback against Crystal Palace – and is battling to play again this season.

The 26-year-old – who missed the first half of the campaign with a thigh injury – is recovering after undergoing surgery.

Carver, for his part, is refusing to put a timescale on de Jong’s comeback.

“The most important thing is how he feels,” said Carver.

“This was a big operation he had. So it’s really in his hands. We won’t force him before he is ready to come back.

“He’s such a positive guy he might be back quicker than anyone expects.

“He will be under no pressure. We will do everything right. The football club will do everything right to make sure everything is done for him properly.

“I went to see him in hospital and he was in good spirits, but, obviously, it’s a huge operation that he has had, and we have got to deal with it.”

Carver added: “They say once you have had the operation, then it shouldn’t come back again, so that’s good news.

“He is quite positive about it – it does help if the guy who has had the operation is really positive within himself, and he has been, so that’s great.”

Asked about de Jong’s nightmare season, Carver said: “His nickname is ‘Lucky’, isn’t it?”