Michael Owen was today undergoing an ankle scan with Kinnear expecting to be without the England striker for around six weeks, while midfielder Joey Barton has fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot and is anticipated to be out for eight weeks.

It also looks increasingly as though Shay Given will be leaving Newcastle to join Manchester City before the February 2 deadline.

Reports in the north-east today suggested the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper was poised to hand in a formal transfer request in a bid to break the deadlock between the clubs over the transfer fee.

"We have had approaches for Shay - serious approaches from Man City. Irrespective of all the stories, they've offered £5million and not a penny more," Kinnear told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

"We think it's an insult to offer that for the best keeper in the Premier League.

"It's a derisory offer. But Shay has made it clear he wants to leave.

"I wasn't involved too much with the meeting between the owner (Mike Ashley), Shay and his agent when they tried to thrash it out.

"But as far as I know, the owner and the managing director (Derek Llambias) were unhappy they've only been offered £5million.

"That's where we stand. I don't want to lose him - I'm fighting a relegation battle."

The Magpies are understood to be interested in a player-plus-cash deal for Given and it will be interesting to see how strong their resolve is, with Kinnear admitting after the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City that the credit crunch was "killing" the club.

Charles N'Zogbia, who like Given did not feature at Eastlands on Wednesday night because of an injury, has also been linked with a move before Monday's transfer deadline, with Wigan and Aston Villa reportedly in the frame.

One player potentially coming in is Toulouse right-back Albin Ebondo, with Kinnear claiming: "We're still tied up in negotiations.

"The original price was £2.5million but (Toulouse) moved the goalposts and it's now £3million. We are still out in France negotiating. It's been two weeks now, so we have to wait and see."

With Barton and Owen definitely out and Given and N'Zogbia in doubt, Kinnear insists he is "struggling" to put together his side for the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland this weekend.

"Obviously no matter what team I send out they will all be fired up, but this injury situation is crippling us," the Magpies boss said.

Nicky Butt is back from suspension and although Mark Viduka (Achilles), Claudio Cacapa (knee) and Alan Smith (foot/ankle) have all returned to training, the visit of the Black Cats may come too soon for them.

Obafemi Martins (hernia surgery), Shola Ameobi (knee), Habib Beye (ankle) and Tamas Kadar (broken leg) remain on the casualty list.

One positive bit of news for Kinnear is that Argentinian winger Jonas Gutierrez is available despite receiving his fifth yellow card of the season against Manchester City. He will serve the ban next weekend when Newcastle travel to West Brom.