Magpies' injury woes deepen
Newcastle’s injury woes deepened last night when midfielder Charles N’Zogbia became the 14th name on a depressing casualty list.
Manager Glenn Roeder hopes to be able to welcome some of his injured players back for Saturday's vital Barclays Premiership clash with Watford at St James’ Park.
A roll call of the injured players:
SHOLA AMEOBI
Currently recovering from surgery to repair a long-standing hip problem and has set himself the target of returning for the start of next season.
OLIVIER BERNARD
Arrived from Rangers in September well short of match fitness and has since suffered a hip injury which has prevented him from making a second senior debut for the club.
TITUS BRAMBLE
Hoping to be fit for the new year after an alarming reaction to a blow to the calf in Frankfurt last month which resulted in an extended stay in hospital.
STEPHEN CARR
Still fighting his way back from a foot problem which has kept him out of the club’s last seven games with no imminent return in sight.
DAMIEN DUFF
Back in light training following surgery to repair a damaged knee cartilage, but could be out for several weeks yet.
KIERON DYER
One of those who could return at the weekend, Dyer has missed the last four games with a badly gashed thigh after coming back from hamstring and eye problems.
EMRE
Picked up a nasty-looking ankle injury in the 3-1 win at Blackburn last weekend, but has an outside chance of making the Watford game.
STEVE HARPER
In rehabilitation after surgery to repair a hernia last month, but should be available within a matter of weeks.
TIM KRUL
Back in training following a knee operation, but the goalkeeping crisis which handed him a senior debut in Palermo last month has abated.
CRAIG MOORE
Out with a hamstring problem for the last six games, Moore has a history of similar injuries which have cost him lengthy spells on the sidelines, and no date has been put on his return.
CHARLES N’ZOGBIA
The club is still assessing the extent of suspected knee ligament damage sustained in last night’s 1-0 defeat at Chelsea.
MICHAEL OWEN
Owen has targeted a return late this season after separate operations to repair cartilage damage and the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament he suffered during England’s World Cup finals campaign.
SCOTT PARKER
Strained a back muscle during the 1-0 Premiership win over Portsmouth on November 26, but could return at the weekend.
NOLBERTO SOLANO
Picked up a hamstring injury at Blackburn and could be out for two to three weeks.
