Newcastle’s Williamson breaks arm

Williamson joined Newcastle from Portsmouth for £3m in January 2010

Newcastle defender Mike Williamson will miss the final three games of the Premier League season after breaking a bone in his forearm.

The 27-year-old suffered the injury in training on Thursday, and will undergo an operation that rules him out for the rest of the campaign.

Boss Alan Pardew could call upon Steven Taylor as a replacement.

Newcastle finish the season with a home match against Birmingham, a trip to Chelsea and the visit of West Brom.

Williamson has established himself as a regular fixture in the Magpies first team, making 32 appearances this term.

The Stoke-on-Trent born centre-back joined Newcastle from Portsmouth for £3m in January 2010, having failed to make an appearance at Fratton Park.