Loan target VaughanWe’re somewhat bereft of strikers at the moment with Ameobi definitely out due to a foot injury and question marks over the fitness of both Carroll and Xisco.
The Mirror is reporting that Hughton has asked Everton if he can have James Vaughan on loan to plug the gaps. Vaughan is Everton’s youngest ever goalscorer but has been fairly injury-hit himself. He’s fit now but has found himself warming the bench a lot and is apparently keen to see some first team football somewhere.
The Mirror says that Moyes will think about it and give Hughton an answer over the weekend but it also says that Hughton has other targets too.
Shola: Stressed foot inspection today.Newcastle United manager, Chris Hughton has given an update on the condition of first team players, Shola Ameobi and Jonas Gutierrez. However there is still some mystery regarding the seriousness of Gutierrez’s leg muscle problem.
We reported here earlier that the Argentina team doctor, Donato Villani had announced to the Argentinian Football Association:
“Jonas Gutierrez suffered a muscle injury in his right leg playing for his club and will not be able to take part in the national team’s next commitments against Brazil and Paraguay, scheduled for September 5 and 9,”
However Hughton has declared that Gutierrez will merely be “doubtful” for Toon’s clash with Leicester City on Monday, 31st of August. He says: (more…)
Definitely knacked, but how bad's Shola?Well it looks like Toon wing wizard, Jonas Gutierrez has definitely sustained a significant injury. Argentina team doctor, Donato Villani has officially announced that he will be out of next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Paraguay with leg muscle problems. This comes in the wake of Newcastle United’s tough clash with the Terriers of Huddersfield, where a reluctant Chris Hughton was forced to bring on some of his bug guns to eventually triumph over tenacious opposition.
Villani announced to the AFA (Argentine Football Association):
“Jonas Gutierrez suffered a muscle injury in his right leg playing for his club and will not be able to take part in the national team’s next commitments against Brazil and Paraguay, scheduled for September 5 and 9,”
The situation regarding Fenham hitman, Shola Ameobi, is somewhat more vague however. Chris Hughton’s assessment, made in the wake of the Carling Cup clash with the ‘Udders was:
“Shola has turned his ankle and to be fair to him he came straight off the pitch when he felt it so hopefully that has minimised any damage.”
Meanwhile Joe Kinnear’s best friend and renowned symbol of journalistic integrity, Simon Bird, has since reported that (more…)
Bale - possible loan target? Apparently Gary Megson wants to take Kevin Nolan back to Bolton, or at least that’s what The Mirror is saying. We paid Bolton £4m for the midfielder in January and his £40k/week wages might be seen as reason enough to let him go in the current phase of cost-cutting at the Toon.
I wasn’t particularly impressed with Nolan’s contributions to the team last season but this season he looks much better, although I admit that’s probably to be expected now that we’re down a league. Nolan has even scored a couple this season, including the winning goal in last night’s 4-3 romp against Huddersfield (for which we have match reports here and here).
It’s not all bad news though because the BBC claimed last night that Gareth Bale could be on his way to Newcastle from Spurs. When we sold them Bassong it was rumoured that one or two loan signings from Spurs were on the cards and this could be one of them.
The Welsh under-21 international made his professional debut for Southampton in 2005-06 and scored 5 goals in 45 games before transferring to Spurs in May 2007. Bale usually plays as either a left back or left winger, so he could be seen as a replacement for either Enrique or Jonas if either should be sold this season. (more…)
Sitting prettyI’m all flustered this morning. For some reason my dog took to ferocious barking sessions last night, which had me twice out of bed and searching the premises, cricket bat in hand, ready to cover drive any burglars I found.
However no burglars nor any obvious reason for my dog’s frantic barking was found. Consequently I overslept and I’m now considering which room would look best with a border collie shaped rug on the floor.
Anyway, enough of my problems – what about Newcastle’s? Today is supposed to be D-Day number 147 isn’t it? I wouldn’t bet on it but by a lucky coincidence – given my disturbed night’s sleep – my colleague has covered a lot of the club’s political options so I don’t need to bother. Instead I’ll move swiftly on to other news. (more…)
