Injuries Cause Kinnear Concern

Joe Kinnear is facing an injury nightmare with Steven Taylor being the latest casualty. Taylor was ruled out of Sunday's match against Fulham just hours before the team travelled to London, meaning he stayed behind having picked up a groin injury. For Kinnear this posed a huge problem as Claudio Cacapa took to the pitch and struggled to perform.

It was the 32-year old defender's 1^st game for a month, it probably wasn't a great decision to play him but Kinnear had little option.

In addition to Taylor, Newcastle are without long term injured players, Alan Smith, Mark Viduka, and Ignacio Gonzalez all of whom are out with Achilles Tendinopathy.

Striker Michael Owen is back after a month sidelined with a groin injury, leaving Shola Ameobi and Obafemi Martins once again fighting for a place, as Owen aims for the starting eleven.

Also back in the squad is Jonas Gutierrez who started the season well before suffering a collarbone injury whilst on International duty.

Kinnear has had very few options since he took the role of Interim manager as injury has plagued is time as manager. It is also possible that this problem may not be solved in the January transfer window as owner Mike Ashley continues to try and sell the club.

"If we can keep our best team together, then we are a far better, stronger side than when we lose key players. We have got enough ammunition about us, providing - and there is a proviso - that we stay with the squad we have got.

If we pick up injuries, then we struggle. That's our Achilles heel."

See what he did there???

"If two or three key players hit the wall, then we struggle to replace them, and that is something that should be addressed in the long term as we come to the next (transfer) window.

We have got people who are prepared to come in and give plenty of effort, but they haven't got the same sort of ability as the ones we are losing going out."