LONDON, February 11 – Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear is set to undergo a heart operation that could sideline him for two months, according to a report in Britain's Sun tabloid here on Wednesday.
Kinnear was admitted to hospital on Saturday after complaining of feeling unwell. Newcastle later released a statement saying initial tests had shown he was "okay" and that he would be detained for further observation.
The 62-year-old suffered a heart attack when in charge of Wimbledon in 1999, later resigning from that post due to poor health.
Kinnear was drafted in to Newcastle by owner Mike Ashley in September, initially as a stand-in boss after fans’ favourite Kevin Keegan quit the club.
Newcastle’s win over West Brom was their first Premier League victory since December 21, where assistant manager Chris Hughton was in charge.
Kinnear had hoped to be back in charge by the time Newcastle play Everton at St James’ Park on February 22 but his health problems now appear to have ruled this out.
Newcastle are currently 13th in the table, four points above the top-flight relegation zone.
