Injury thread

[kennethlindheim]

So many players missing pre-season is the worst thing that could happen. When the season starts, key players will be without match-practice and will be unfit and that could lead to further injuries.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

It's a hard knock life.

[kennethlindheim]

MICHAEL OWEN is fighting a race against time to be in the Newcastle United opener with Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium a week on Saturday.

The England striker’s thigh injury is proving a bit slow to heal and it’s not the news Sam Allardyce wants to hear as he prepares to return to his former stamping ground.

Big Sam told me last Wednesday that he expected Owen and Shola Ameobi to play some part against Celtic at St James’ Park on Thursday night.

But neither did, and neither of the two strikers were involved against Juventus on Sunday.

There is a chance that Ameobi, who has had a bit of back trouble, will play some part in tonight’s friendly at Hull City, but it would be a surprise if Owen is on the bus.

All this leaves is Sunday’s friendly with Sampdoria at St James’ Park, and as things stand, three of United’s main four-man strike force of Owen, Ameobi and Mark Viduka have only managed 90 minutes of football among them in pre-season, with the exception being Oba Martins who has looked quite lively.

This was in the first friendly at Hartlepool when Owen and Ameobi played in the second half – and looked good together.

Viduka is now training with United but he does not expect to be involved at Hull City tonight.

It’s not the sort of preparations Allardyce wanted, with midfielders Joey Barton, Emre, Nicky Butt and Damien Duff all queuing to get into the treatment room along with the likes of Owen and Ameobi and central defender Steven Taylor.

icNewcastle - Owen a worry for big kick-off

Fucking same old shite with injuries every bastard season.

[kennethlindheim]

Joey Barton update:

Exclusive: Joey On Fitness Latest | Newcastle United | News | Latest News | Latest News

[kennethlindheim]

England striker Michael Owen is to undergo a second scan on his injured groin after limping off the field for the second time in a week.
In a development which will set the alarm bells ringing for national boss Steve McClaren, the 27-year-old striker asked to come off six minutes into the second half in Newcastle's victory over West Ham.

Owen, who was also substituted at Derby on Monday evening to spark speculation that he needs surgery to repair the injury, will see a specialist tomorrow as the Magpies try to get to the bottom of a problem which could also have major implications for England ahead of next month's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia.

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce, who ruled the striker out of tomorrow night's Carling Cup clash with Arsenal, said: "We will know better tomorrow. It is still a groin problem which we will have to look into a little deeper because it has become persistent.

"We will make a decision from there. We will probably scan it again, have another specialist opinion and then see where we go from there. But he is definitely out for Tuesday.

"I am worried that he asked to come off today because he felt it, whereas it was me who took him off against Derby, so since then, even though the scan was clear, there's a persistent area which is causing him a problem.

"We need to look deeper into that."

If surgery is required, Allardyce insisted that the club would waste no time.

Asked when any operation would be done, he said: "Straight away, if that's the case. We will look after Michael Owen's interests more than anybody else's.

"He is our most expensive asset, so we must not go on any longer than we need to, we must address the injury straight away."

Owen's continuing fitness problems and the loss of defender Claudio Cacapa to a similar injury took the edge off a good afternoon for Allardyce, who saw his side run out relatively comfortable victors after finally wearing down the Hammers.

Mark Viduka headed the Magpies in front with just two minutes gone and then after Dean Ashton had levelled on 32 minutes, restored his side's lead four minutes before the break.

The impressive Charles N'Zogbia wrapped up the win on 76 minutes, and Owen's replacement Obafemi Martins passed up a glorious opportunity to make it 4-1 at the death after rounding keeper Robert Green.

Allardyce said: "I am very contented. It was a very satisfying result today and in many cases, very satisfying in terms of the performance.

"But there is still a lot to work on and a lot to get better at."

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/ViewAr...icleid=3226001

[kennethlindheim]

JOEY BARTON won’t play against his old club Manchester City at the weekend, but insists he has no problem being a fully- fledged member of the Toon Army.

Barton was at the Emirates Stadium last night and pleaded to be part of the squad, even if it was just to warm up with the United men who did play at Arsenal.

And even though Newcastle could have done with him on the field for the rest of the night, his appearance was not a one-off.

Barton did the same at Derby County on Monday and was even at the reserves’ 2-0 defeat against Middlesbrough 24 hours later.

Barton told me: “The lads are giving me a bit of stick for it, but I just love football.

“I love watching the lads and being part of it, even though at the minute you feel a bit removed from it because you’re not joining in training.

“You’re on your own doing work in the gym, but travelling to away games makes me feel a part of it.

“I can give the lads a bit of positive talk, and hopefully get a feel for it and what happens on a matchday.

“I’m nearing the end of a significant injury, which has been frustrating. I can see light at the end of the tunnel now, and I am champing at the bit.

“Being around the players and in the dressing room, you feel more a part of it than you would normally do stuck in the gym somewhere."

Barton has been missing since the game at Carlisle in July when he broke his foot, but has even been back to Brunton Park to join Lee Clark for a scouting mission as the Toon coach took his place in the stands last Saturday.

He added: "I’ll be there at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday too, without a shadow of a doubt. It’s just disappointing I won’t be playing.

"I’ve still got a little way to go in terms of match fitness, and hopefully I’ll get there sooner rather than later and I’ll get back to what I do best, which is playing football.

"I’ve been very fortunate to have a good medical team around me – the doctor and physios have been first class in getting me to where I am.

"But I’m only young, and I’ll get a lot chances to play at Manchester City in the future.

"I still keep in contact with the lads there – I’ve got a lot of friends there and they’ve had a great start to the season and it should be a good game.

"You always want to play against your old club, but at the same time this is just another Premier League game for me.

"I think I’ve proved what I can do to the fans there – I’ve got nothing to prove to them.

"Now it’s a case of pulling on a Newcastle United shirt and enjoying a new chapter in my career.

"Hopefully this is the start of an exciting time for Newcastle United, and for me personally."

Joey champing at the bit for United return - Newcastle United News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive

Cant happen soon enough for me, we need a driving force in midfield. We are far too one dimensional at the moment with Geremi/Faye/Butt/Smith all offering the same option.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Shola Ameobi fears his latest injury setback 'does not look good' after being forced off in Newcastle United's defeat at Arsenal. The striker, who missed a large chunk of last season with a hip problem, suffered a groin injury in the 2-0 defeat at Emirates Stadium.

[kennethlindheim]

Ameobi is useless anyway. That means that Smith can play upfront.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Joey Barton has targetted Newcastle's game with Everton on 7th October to make his Newcastle debut.

[kennethlindheim]

SHOLA Ameobi is losing his battle to be fit for Newcastle's home game against Tottenham – but his groin problem does not need an operation.

But United manager Sam Allardyce has better news on the injury front elsewhere.

Defender Celestine Babayaro is among those in contention for a place in the squad for Monday night's televised fixture, and striker Mark Viduka is almost certain to start up front after missing the Magpies' last game against Everton.

Ameobi has not featured since last month's Carling Cup defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium because of a groin problem.

The injury has not needed surgery, and Allardyce hopes to have the striker back in training in the next couple of days.

He told the Gazette: "Hopefully by the end of the week Shola will be back in training, but I don't think he will be available for Monday."

However, Babayaro – who has not yet featured for Allardyce – is close to fitness.

The left-back – this week warned by Allardyce that he is drinking in last-chance saloon as far as his United career is concerned – is back from his niggling groin and hamstring problems, while Viduka and Cacapa are both likely to start against Spurs after returning to fitness.

Allardyce added: "Celestine actually trained for the first time on Monday.

"Mark's also back in training, as is Cacapa. Hopefully all of the players who have been away will report back with no problems."

Meanwhile, Allardyce says Alan Smith – suspended for the Tottenham game after picking up five bookings – is over his knee problem, having been rested by England coach Steve McClaren last week.

Smith had been playing with the injury in recent weeks, and had the problem assessed by McClaren's medical team when he linked up with his country.

Allardyce said: "He was rested by England last week, and he's running now with no problems. He needed rest, and he got that with England."

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/nufc/N...tle.3390517.jp

[Mighty T.A.L.]

He should use his wages to buy himself some new legs.

[kennethlindheim]

Viduka will not be risked against Reading on Saturday, but N'Zogbia will be fit for the game after being substituted in half time against Spurs because of illness.

Ameobi will step up his comeback for the reserves against Liverpool tonight.

[kennethlindheim]

Injury update:

Emre Sprained Ankle expected back 26th Apr 08
Cacapa Groin Strain expected back 3rd May 08
J Milner Ankle/Foot Injury expected back 20th Apr 08
S Carr Hamstring Injury expected back 20th Apr 08
S Given Groin Strain expected back 3rd May 08
T Krul Dislocated Shoulder expected back Jun 08

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Shay Given is unlikely to play for Newcastle again until next season, according to boss Kevin Keegan. Keegan knows it would be foolish to give the Republic of Ireland international a run-out before the end of the campaign to prove he is over his long-standing groin problems.

Keegan said: "I think he'll be fit by the end of the season and he'll train with us for maybe the last week or 10 days but there's no sense for him to play a match.

"He just needs to know by the end of the season he's fit, ready to go away and come back fit for pre-season with all his problems behind him. I think that, for him, will be a massive relief."