Andy Carroll has been urged to "stay strong" by Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce.
The former Liverpool striker has a hip problem after attempting to volley a ball in training last month and has not appeared since.
Details of his £75,000 per start deal also emerged last week and there is uncertainty over whether he will be offered a new deal for next season in the air.
When asked about Carroll's absence, Bruce, speaking at his weekly Press conference, said: "There's no update.
"We won't put any timescale on it, we just will wait until he's right. The big thing for him is his ankle is okay. It's a freak one.
"It's a difficult one but he has to stay strong mentally and he will."
Carroll is yet to score a goal since his return to Newcastle on a free transfer last summer.
He was released by West Ham after ankle surgery at the end of last season and ideally wants to end his career on Tyneside.
Now 31, he has made 14 appearances this season with his last coming against Rochdale in the FA Cup third round replay in mid-January.
