Oba returns against Orient.In a day that appears largely bereft of Newcastle United news, I’ll have to pick out our reserve win over Whitley Bay as the headline news. Apparently Hughton and Calderwood were amongst the 1,075 crowd that saw us win 3-1 with two goals from Brad Inman and one from Wesley Ngo Baheng.
According to The Chronicle, Oba Martins and Geremi are set to make a return against Leyton Orient on Saturday, although Bassong is complaining of a ‘muscle ache’ and remains doubtful.
I have to admit to being a bit nonplussed about such news because I’m guessing that all three of these players will be clearing off as soon as Ashley’s transfer embargo is lifted. I’m not sure what we’re gaining in the long run by getting them into the pre-season squad and wonder if we’d be better off giving more of the youngsters some first team time – at least they’ll still be here for the rest of the season.
The article also explains how Hughton has been left to contemplate starting the season the season without Nicky Butt. He told The Chronicle: (more…)
Butt InjuredAfter just a couple of friendlies we’ve picked up our first injury of the season. According to the official club site, Nicky Butt will be out for 4 weeks and will have a hand operation to repair the partially dislocated thumb he received during the Darlington game. This of course means he’ll miss the start of the season.
I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come. We seem to have had a particularly injury-prone squad in recent seasons and I was beginning to wonder whether that’s just down to bad luck or whether there’s something wrong with the training / physio regime.
According to The Chronicle, the players have been told that they can expect Hughton to be in charge for the start of the season, which is no real surprise given the way things seem to be dragging on. The article also suggests that the Malaysian consortium that was recently given a tour of St James’ Park has fallen by the wayside, although I’m not sure how The Chronicle knows that because all that Ashely’s PR man had to say on matters was: “we can’t give out anything on the record“. (more…)
Profitable Group logo. City of London sources pouring cold water on claims from a Singapore-based company, the Profitable Group, that it has held talks with Ashley about a £100m buy-out, a UK-based consortium and an American grouping remain the two parties most likely to buy Newcastle. (Michael Walker – The Independent) Link>>
John Gaunt, the Chief Exective Officer of Singapore’s “Profitable Group” has said on his companies reported wish to buy Newcastle United “We are aware of the reports but we have no comment to make at the moment” (Ossian Shine – Reuters UK). (more…)
