Norwich City's club-record signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel will again miss out with a toe injury for Saturday's Premier League trip to Newcastle.

Canaries' boss Chris Hughton confirmed at Colney on Thursday afternoon the Dutch international will not feature at St James' Park after missing the three previous games with the problem suffered originally in the 1-0 league defeat to Aston Villa in September. Hughton insists there is no longer-term issue over the striker's return to the fold, but City's medical staff and management will take no risks with the 24-year-old.

'It is certainly not a serious injury but it is taking a little while to heal and he will miss out this weekend,' said Hughton. 'We just have to make sure we give him the rest he needs. It's still the toe problem that is causing him some difficulty but it is not a bad injury by any stretch. It is a small muscular problem in his toe. Sometimes these delicate ones can take a little bit longer. I want him 100% and he will be. We know we will have to probably rest him for a maximum of two weeks, certainly no more than that.

'It's frustrating for him because he wants to play in all the matches and up until now we haven't done too bad injury-wise. Losing Elliott (Bennett) and Alex (Tettey) were big blows but overall we have kept most of the lads in good shape. It is part and parcel of the game.'

Back-up keeper Mark Bunn will also be sidelined for 'between four to five weeks' after undergoing surgery on an ankle problem. Hughton revealed his international contingent had returned with no fresh concerns. Midfielder Anthony Pilkington is fit to face the Magpies' after pulling out of the Republic of Ireland squad for the recent friendlies against Latvia and Poland.

'No, he is fine. He came off against West Ham when he got a kick to his hamstring area,' said Hughton. 'It was just soreness but I think what he did do was he went over to meet the Irish squad and see their medical staff. They were very happy with him doing that. He came to us and has been able to train the last few days. Mark Bunn will be out for a period of a few weeks, probably four to five. He has had a very small operation on his ankle to remove a bit of bone.'