After Steven Taylor and Sebastien Bassong both picked up injuries (ankle and groin respectively) against Arsenal at the weekend, it was reported the pair would be out for several weeks. However Chris Hughton delivered some good news today by suggesting that they could both potentially be available for the Chelsea game.
Newcastle's caretaker manager said that an assessment to be carried out over the next few days will determine the extent of both players injuries, from which he will be able to confirm whether they will be fit for next weekend.
Hughton told the official website nufc.co.uk;
"We are continuing to assess Steven and Sébastien Bassong and we're hopeful they could be available for Chelsea.
What we haven't done at this moment is rule either of them from making the Chelsea game.
We are looking for an improvement over the next week or so and if we get that, they've got a chance but we're not ruling either of them out 100%.
With both of these injuries the assessment is going to be over the next few days.
And we'll know after that if one or both of them have a chance for the Chelsea game."
S.Taylor & Bassong Could Play Against Chelsea
Posted by: TyneTalk (IP Logged)
Date: 25/03/2009 18:07
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Joesftbh Bassong has to play against Chelsea for any chance of a result. And Colo should probably be dropped, he had a nightmare against Arsenal...
Colo needs rest, and with Beye available, now is the time to give it to him. He's played in all 30 league matches, which is commendable; however, that puts way too much strain on a centre-back with no midfield support. If Bassong and Taylor can play, they should just to give Colo the day off.
I agree that Colo perhaps needs a game off.. He hasn't looked as assured lately. In saying that I think that Taylor is just as prone to making mistakes on any day as Colo is on a bad day so I wouldn't plan on Taylor being picked at CD for the rest of the season ahead of Colo.
Absolutely right, waffles, though I would add that I think Colo has been on s.hit form lately, fatigue aside. If Taylor and Bassong start and do well, I'd like to see them given a run of games in the center of defense.
Can't see leaving S. Taylor out of the squad at this point in the season, generally, just because of his spirit. He does need to rein in the rough stuff, though, or...
With Alan Shearer stepping into the hot seat, it will be like plugging into the national grid at St James' Park, the 52,000 fans will lift the lid off the ground.
In the long run it will be all about the players and how Alan can get them performing. But because of the emotion, the occasion and the importance, I think Newcastle will manage a draw.
Verdict: 1-1
even he has got on the shearer roller coaster but i think regardless of the goings on we need are to bright young center backs desperately for this game!!
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