London - Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear is to undergo a heart bypass operation and could miss the rest of the season, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

The 62-year-old, who had a heart attack 10 years ago when he was Wimbledon manager, was taken ill before his Premier League side's match against West Bromwich Albion last Saturday.

Kinnear, who took over at Newcastle last September and whose contract runs to the end of the season, is set to have the operation on Friday, the BBC said.

Chris Hughton, Kinnear's assistant, will continue to take charge of the team in his absence. (dpa)