Colo’s a no-go for Argentina.
Posted on October 1st, 2009 | 15 Comments |
The defender managed to strain his groin during the game against Ipswich, was absent for last night’s game against QPR and has already been ruled out of Newcastle’s game against Bristol City at the weekend.
However, Coloccini is due to link up with the woeful Argentina squad to try and help them salvage a World Cup place from their qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay, but Hughton is putting his foot down. Hughton said:
“If he’s not fit for the weekend, then no, and he’ll certainly miss the [World Cup] weekend.
“It’s one I need to check, but from our point of view, if he doesn’t play the weekend, then he’s not going. If we all had a choice as coaches, you’d prefer it if everybody stayed.
“At this moment Jonas is fit, and it’s his prerogative and privilege to go away with his country.”
So it looks like Jonas will be jetting off alone.
Diego Maradona is unlikely to be happy though as Argentina have lost 4 out of their last 5 games and risk failing to qualify for the first time since 1970, which wouldn’t be funny at all. Indeed not.
Apparently Maradona hasn’t yet been on the phone to Hughton to give him an ear-bashing and plead for his defender. Hughton said:
“I’ve not had a call from him, and I don’t expect to.”
In terms of other injury news, Hughton classes Ryan Taylor as ‘touch and go’ for the Bristol City game.
“However, Coloccini is due to link up with the woeful Argentina squad”
They have a brilliant squad, including some of the greatest players in the world. However they’ve fallen into the trap of thinking that a legendary player and icon can sit on a tv sofa for years, then immediately turn into a great manager.