Newcastle United have issued a statement confirming that Joe Kinnear will undergo a triple heart bypass operation, the consequences of which will keep him away from the Magpies dug-out and training ground for at least two months.

The prognosis is reportedly positive though, and Kinnear may well make a re-appearance at the club before the end of the season.

As it currently stands, assistant manager Chris Hughton and coach Colin Calderwood will handle team affairs in the interim, as the stress of steadying a club in such turmoil as Newcastle finally seems to have taken its toll on the 62-year-old with a history of heart problems, though reports have surfaced in England that perhaps former Barcelona coach Terry Venables might be called in as a stop-gap.

Venables apparently turned the job down in Septmeber before it was originally offered to Kinnear, The Daily Mail reported earlier this week.

Kinnear had been admitted to hospital in the West Midlands prior to the Magpies' 3-2 victory over West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, after complaining of feeling ill in the morning .

His *lo** pressure was discovered to be high, and now surgery has been deemed to be the answer to the problem.

Kinnear himself thanked fans for the messages of support he had received since news of illness had been announced.

"I've really appreciated al the get well messages I've received from people over the last week, and I'd like to thank everyone who has beenin touch," the Irishman told the club's official website.

Toon managing director Derek Llambias added his voice to the good wishes, adding, "I am sure the whole football community will join Newcastle United in wishing Joe a speedy recovery."

Earlier, the man who will fill in for Kinnear, fellow former Republic of Ireland international Chris Hughton, asserted his confidence in the man who will assist him in the dug-out, former Nottingham Forest manager Colin Calderwood.

"Hell be a big plus for us," Hughton told The Newcastle Chronicle earlier. "I worked with him at Spurs, and I know he has the qualities you need in management. He has a lot of enthusiasm."