Ameobi, Gutierrez, Enrique, S.Taylor fit to face Mackems, Carroll still doubtful.
Posted on January 13th, 2011 | 62 Comments |
As Newcastle prepare for Sunday’s derby against Sunderland, Magpie’s manager, Alan Pardew, has reassured fans that Mackem nemesis, Shola Ameobi, along with winger, Jonas Gutierrez, left back, Jose Enrique and centre back, Steven Taylor, will all be fully fit for the game.
Shola has been sidelined with an ankle injury for the last two games while Gutierrez, Enrique and Taylor all missed the previous game against Stevenage. Vintage centre back, Sol Campbell, should also be fully recovered from a virus and available for selection.
Pardew told local newspaper, The Journal:
“The injury news is looking positive for us and we should have some important players back.
“Shola Ameobi should be fit now, Jonas will be fine and Jose Enrique should be available too.
“It will be a boost to have Shola back. He is going to train on Friday and that is what we are working towards at the moment – although there is a couple of days’ work to be done there.”
As previous reported, long term casualty, Dan Gosling wil also be available for selection, having played around 70 minutes of a behind closed doors match against Hibernian yesterday, his first game for the Magpies since his signing from Everton last July.
However, talisman striker, Andy Carroll will still be a doubt for Sunday’s important game. The Number 9 has been in Dubai recovering from a thigh strain which has seen hims miss Newcastle’s last two games. He returned to Tyneside on Sunday, but the club are still unsure as to whether he has recovered enough for a return to the Newcastle front line. Midfielder, Cheik Tiote will also be out through suspensin after losing his F.A. appeal for a sending off in he Magpies’ F.A. Cup defeat to Stevenage.
Im praying for Carroll to be fit, I fear we will have little cutting edge without him, especially if Pardew continues with this long ball tactic that didn’t work in the cup.