The Throstles await, again!This afternoon sees the third titanic encounter between the two Championship heavyweights of Newcastle United and West Brom. With the two previous encounters being very tight draws, it will be a very tough game to call.
As far as team news goes, George Caulkin has been reporting in the Times that Steven Taylor has suffered knee ligament damage from the last game with the Baggies, and may be out for the rest of the season, however this story has not been subtantiated at the time of writing. Danny Simpson is also highly doubtful after picking up an ankle knock too. Striker, Peter Lovenkrands will also be out of the squad after travelling to Denmark twice in the wake of his father’s death. Ryan Taylor and Tamas Kadar will probably step in if Steven Taylor and Danny Simpson are out of the game, with substitute keeper, Tim Krul looking for a bit of practice in between the sticks too.
For more details on the game, check out Geordie Deb’s excellent match preview on the game. If you have any links for audio coverage etc, please feel free to post them. (more…)
Ameobi: Back in the picture.News has come in from Newcastle United’s official website that Tyneside’s messiest hitman, Shola Ameobi, will definitely be returning to training next week after the big lump went and knacked his foot while getting into the swing of what could have been the most prolific scoring period of his career so far.
Chris Hughton announced in slightly more diplomatic terms:
“Shola will train with the reserves on Monday before joining in with the rest of the squad on Tuesday after Preston.
“He has made good progress and we’re delighted to welcome him back. It was disappointing for Shola to miss out after the start he had.
“But he’ll be looking to get back to that level and we certainly hope he can because he was excellent for us during those first few weeks.”
Guti’s thigh.
On Gutierrez, who picked up a thigh strain in Newcastle’s 3-1 win over Peterborough and was slightly doubtful, Hughton commented:
“Jonas is fine and will be in the squad. It was a minor problem he had but we’re happy he’s OK now.” (more…)
Shola: Back for Swansea?Well, you just can’t stop Chris Hughton at the moment. This time, he’s been talking about the return of Shola Ameobi, who broke his foot after scoring in a 4-3 cup thriller against the mighty Huddersfield on 26th August. Hughton said he has high hopes for a Bambi’s return to the Newcastle United squad for the encounter with Swansea on 28th November. If he did return for that game, it would mean that the ‘Fenham Eusebio’ had been out of the game for around four months, and would probably need some time to return to full match fitness. His return would also coincide with the ending of the loan period for hired in hitman, Marlon Harewood, who has had mixed fortunes as a temporary replacement.
Ameobi, who seems to have picked up the very welcome habit of remembering to head the ball into the goal before he falls over this season, has been much missed in Newcastle United’s front line.
Hughton said of the West End assassin:
“Shola’s a player who was making a positive and big impact on the team when he was injured,” said Hughton.
“And now he’s beginning to near a return, he can make a big impact again. (more…)
Jonas due to return thoughThe diminutive Newcastle United squad is about to be stretched further by injuries and international duties.
Fabricio Coloccini picked up a groin strain and Ryan Taylor picked up a calf injury during Saturday’s game against Ipswich. Danny Simpson is also sidelined with an ankle injury from the Plymouth game and is doubtful for this week’s games. These add to the longer-term injuries of Shola Ameobi and Joey Barton with the latter now expected to be out until Christmas with an ankle injury.
Hughton said:
“As ever we will be assessing everybody as we go along.
“Ryan has been suffering with a little tightness in his calf and is a doubt. But Fabricio looks the more doubtful of the two and we are probably more hopeful on Ryan.
“Danny Simpson has got a chance but he is again touch and go. And providing Jonas gets through the next few days without any problems, he could also be back against QPR.”
So it’s good news about Jonas but there’s going to be some defensive reshuffling needed. (more…)
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.