Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey still needs to start two more matches to earn a one-year contract extension, leaving his future at the club in doubt.
The 30-year-old is sidelined for up to eight weeks with a calf injury and has only six months to run on his current deal.
Shelvey now faces a race against time to trigger his additional 12 months, given the form of Eddie Howe's side and the club's search for players in his position this January.
The former England playmaker had expected the conditions to be satisfied in the early weeks of this campaign after returning for pre-season in eye-catching shape.