Kinnear On Target For Spurs Return
By Tyne-Talk
March 20 2009
Chris Hughton has hinted that Joe Kinnear is on course for a return to Newcastle on the 19th April just in time for their trip to White Hart Lane. Kinnear who underwent a triple heart bypass in February is said to have been in regular contact with Hughton since beginning his recovery & is said to be having some say when it comes to team selection, though this has not been confirmed by the club.
Hughton said:
"It's vitally important. Irrespective of whether Joe is here or not, we are looking at each of these nine games and the quicker we can get some points and alleviate a bit of that pressure and also create a little bit of a gap, the better.
If I am able to hand over to Joe in a good position, that is vitally important. I speak to Joe regularly. The difficult thing for Joe is he is not here.
There is a difference watching the games live and watching the games on video. Joe is very much aware of what his input can be, but certainly we expect that to be a lot more over the next few weeks.
But the most important thing is that he is making a good recovery.''
Earlier today Kinnear was quoted in 'The Chronicle' discussing what he described as his "harrowing" experience.
He said:
"What happened in the hotel that morning brought back nightmares from the last heart problem I had at Wimbledon. It was quite harrowing again for me and you do fear the worst...
...I just want to get back to Newcastle and get on with the job. I miss it like hell. Fingers crossed I'll be fine on April 6 and get through the tests.
They might tell me that I can't go on the line for the Stoke game but I will then hope to be in the dugout for Tottenham. By then who is to say how many points we'll need. There is no reason why we can't pick up points against Arsenal and Chelsea.
My friends in the game haven't forgotten me. Arsene Wenger wrote a nice card and Alex Ferguson said he wanted to see me back in the dug-out soon. The big decision time will be in the summer. First I need to keep Newcastle up and know I am going to be fit enough for the job going forward.
If all goes to plan and I continue to make the same progress, I'm assuming the specialist will give me the OK and it will be all-clear for the Tottenham game on April 18."
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Besides, April 19th is an unlucky day.
Its the day (1993) that the Waco siege ended violently and its the date of the Oklahoma bombing (1995)
It would have been the 18th if that is any better, except the spurs game has been moved to the 19th