Gannett Co. (GCI) said Chairman and Chief Executive Craig Dubow will take a medical leave of absence after back surgery.

Company spokeswoman Tara Connell said Dubow, 54 years old, is expected to be out for four months due to a spine-related medical issue. She declined to elaborate on his ailment, saying there's no consideration of replacing Dubow permanently.

The company's chief financial officer, Gracia C. Martore, will serve as the publisher's principal executive officer until Dubow "is able to return to work," the company said.

In a statement, Dubow said he looks "forward to a full recovery."

"I am confident that Gracia and our strong, experienced management team will continue to execute our strategic plan while I am recovering," he added.

Gannett, publisher of USA Today, is the nation's largest newspaper chain.

Its shares closed Monday at $4.10, down 2.8%, amid a general market sell-off; they were inactive after hours.

-By Nat Worden, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2472; nat.worden@dowjones.com

(Kathy Shwiff contributed to this story.)