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Michael Owen(knee) as we know is out till next year with
the injury he picked up at the World Cup.
Kieron Dyer(?) is unfit but some positive noises have been made about an
August return.
Shola Ameobi(hip) is doubtful after receiving treatment on his
troublesome hip, which meant he started pre-season training late.
Nicky Butt(Migraine) is set to be ok after going off with a blow to his
head, which resulted in a migraine.
Shola Ameobi(Hip/Hamstring) looks extremely doubtful after going off
injured against Wigan.
Shay Given(Back) is a doubt after aggravating his back again against
Wigan.
Craig Moore(?) doubtful after not coming out for the second half against
Wigan.
Celestine Babayaro(?) limped through the finally 10 minutes against
Wigan, so must be a doubt.
Emre(?) also struggled to finish the game against Wigan and is doubtful.
Stephen Car(?) is also doubtful.. |
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If we can avoid defeat in this game, then the UEFA Cup 1st
Round proper awaits us, however we were in a similar position to this back
at the start of the 2003/04 season.
A Nobby Solano goal away in Belgrade, give us a 1-0 win over Partizan
Belgrade in the UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round 1st
Leg. Everyone presumed the hard work had been done but a spirited
Belgrade came to St James’ Park and after 90 minutes were winning 1-0
themselves. A goalless extra time and a useless penalty shoot-out
performance later, we were beaten.
A warning from history that I’m sure won’t be lost on the management
team and players.
With this being Newcastle Utd, September isn’t here yet and our
treatment room already has a waiting list. The injuries picked up during
the last game, were the last thing we needed. Hopefully most of them
will be niggles, Shola apart, and not stop the players playing but
that’s not the point. With having a small squad we need to have players
doing a full weeks training, so they can get through these 2 games in 3
days easily.
Presuming Shola doesn’t make it, Roeder will have to decide who plays
upfront in this crucial game. You’d have say Albert Luque would come in
as a straight replacement for Shola but will Roeder play 2 upfront or
stick with a lone striker? Plenty of options are available to him, Duff
playing just behind Luque with N’Zogbia down the left or N’Zogbia in
central midfield with Emre pushing forward or Milner upfront alongside
Luque.
Regardless of who is fit or what formation we play, the lads know how
crucial this game is and I’m sure they’ll be too strong for the
Latvians.
Progression to the UEFA Cup proper would bring to a close a ‘job well done’
start of the season. I’m sure all of us back at the start of July would
have taken being in the 1st round of the UEFA Cup and winning our
opening Premiership game, especially if we knew then we would have only
signed 1 new player.
Let’s hope for no slips up and that we are all glued to the internet for
the UEFA Cup draw this Friday night time.
HOWAY THE LADS!!! |
