Bizarre Events, and Four are Left Behind!

By Matthew Jones
August 12 2003

Hugo Viana, Clarence Acuna, Darren Ambrose and Lomana LuaLua have all had to stay on Tyneside. Viana and Acuna are injured, but Ambrose left his mobile phone somewhere, and LuaLua couldn't get a visa in time!

Newcastle United have travelled to Belgrade for thier Champions League qualifying tie on Wednesday, but four key members of Newcastle United's first team squad have been left behind by Sir Bobby Robson, following a serious of bizarre events.

Hugo Viana was told not to travel, after he sat out training on Saturday with a back injury - believed to be a strain.

Clarence Acuña was called up in his place, but it turned out that he was carrying an Achilles injury - so that ruled him out for two weeks. Who next?

Darren Ambrose was rang by Sir Bobby to ask him to play, but Sir Bobby had already told him that he want not playing. It seems that Ambrose was out somewhere, and had left his mobile phone at home!

Then came the news that Lomana LuaLua had not been issued with a visa in time to make the flight, so he also had to stay on Tyneside!

"Apart from that we're fully fit and raring to go," joked Robson, who has had to call Robbie Elliott into the squad at the last minute, "Hugo Viana is out and we're waiting to see just how serious the back injury is. I'd say it was a short-term problem and all it will require is a couple of days' rest, but he's been getting a few spasms and has had to miss training since Friday. It has spread to his buttocks, but we're hoping that's as far as it goes."

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