Callum Wilson. Last season’s heroics and the Toon Army’s European adventure are starting to feel like distant memories as this year’s patchy form continues. Finishing in a European spot will still be a priority for Eddie Howe, but mounting injury concerns will be a worry.
Anthony Gordon is the latest star to be injured, lasting just 30 minutes in the 3-2 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Gordon’s form has been a highlight of Newcastle’s season, and losing him for important games against Fulham and West Ham could be a real blow to Eddie Howe’s preparation.
Newcastle are waiting for more news on Gordon’s knee injury with Howe saying the star man was in a bit of pain and it did not look good. This will also come as a huge blow to Gordon who looked like he was in contention for an England call up. (more…)
Another one bites the dust! Newcastle United squad have certainly had their problems with injuries recently, and suspensions too, the most notable being Sandro Tonali’s huge 10 month ban for innapropriate gambling activities. But how does it compare with other Premier League sides? and more specifically, is it because of European competition?
On the first question, even with the return of Alexander Isak and Miguel Almiron, as of 26th July, the Magpies still have the joint worst injury list along with Manchester United, with both teams missing 13 players from their squads due to injuries and suspensions according to (more…)
Ankle injury requires surgery.At the holy ground of St. James Park it’s always been a case of “it never rains but it pours”, which is of course the shortened version. The full idiom is “it never rains but it pours toxic waste with the occasional sharp object thrown in to further increase damage.” Not even joking.
Our long standing goalkeeper Steve Harper has already decided to stay on the bench in favour of giving young Tim Krul a chance to impress between the sticks and so far the young Dutchman has done exactly that, and long may it continue! Newcastle United may lack depth in other areas, we have a wealth of gold in our goalkeepers and have done for many years but now it seems it’s time for that young gold to start shining as Ole Soderberg will be on the bench for the important game against Chelsea this coming Sunday. (more…)
Vuckic in action again.Newcastle United’s versatile young attacking player, Haris Vučkić, has finally returned after over five months on the sidelines thanks to a fairly serious double knee and ankle injury.
Haris made his return as a late substitute in an under 18s game where the bairns were defeated 4-1 by the youngsters of Nottingham Forest at a windswept Benton training ground. Haris will also be eligible for next week’s semi final of the FA Youth Cup with Aston Villa next week.
While he has only made two appearences for the first team so far, his talent is prodigious. A playmaking midfield player and second striker in the mould of one of the greatest of all United players, Peter Beardsley, Vučkić is not a player with great pace, however his balance and ease on the ball, along with his vision, passing and shooting have made many at the club see him as the brightest of the Academy talents, and a very important part of Newcastle United’s future. (more…)
Taylor: Divven't knaa how long yet.Newcastle United manager, Chris Hughton is playing the waiting game as he counts the cost of two costly games against fierce Championship rivals, West Bromwich Albion.
Firstly, centre back, Steven Taylor “tweaked” his knee in the thrilling 2-2 league encounter with the Midlands club, and the Times’s North East football corresspondent, George Caulkin, had reported that he would be out for the entire season. In the second FA Cup fiasco meanwhile, Fenham hitman, Shola Ameobi feel badly on his shoulder, and old midfield grunter, Nicky Butt, “felt his calf” in the build up to the cup game.
Hughton said on the carnage:
“Steven tweaked his knee against West Brom and we’ll learn more this week on the extent of that one.”
On the Shola shoulder scenario, he continued:
“Shola landed awkwardly on his shoulder at West Brom and he’s another one we assessed but we don’t think it’s anything major”.
