Newcastle boss John Carver is confident midfielder Siem de Jong will return fitter and stronger after undergoing surgery to repair a collapsed lung, reports Sky Sports. The Holland international has managed only three appearances for the Magpies since his £6m summer arrival from Ajax.
Carver said: "They say once you have had it, if you have the operation, then it shouldn't come back again, so that's good news.
"He is quite positive about it - it does help if the guy who has had the operation is really positive within himself, and he has been, so that's great.
"For everybody, it's a huge blow, but more importantly for the boy himself because he is such a great lad. We have not given a guideline on not coming back - the most important thing for me is his health, and he will decide when he is ready to come back.
"He will be under no pressure."
Carver admitted: "His nickname is 'Lucky', isn't it? He has had a tough time. But the pleasing thing from our point of view is he is such a good character and I know he will come back fitter and stronger from it.
"He's not going to let it get him down, he's a really positive guy. He's coming in tomorrow, actually, to see the guys, which will be the first time since he left hospital, and we are looking forward to seeing him.
"We will make him feel part of it. I will get him involved somewhere. He won't be able to do the physical work, but I might lean on him for one or two things, as we did in the past with Ryan Taylor."
