Butt & JJ are NOT Suffering From Conjunctivitus

By Matthew Jones
August 12 2004

Newcastle United have played down reports this morning which claimed that midfielders Nicky Butt and Jermaine Jenas are the latest players to fall victim to the conjunctivitis outbreak. This isn't true! Thank God!

It was reported this morning that the pair had picked up the virus which has already affected Shay Given, Tony Caig, Lee Bowyer, Laurent Robert, Andy O'Brien and Physio, Derek Wright, but the club have played down these reports.

Newcastle wanted Saturday's game against Middlesbrough at the Riverside to be postponed, but the Football League have ordered Newcastle to turn up and play.

A spokesman at the club confirmed:

“We’ve had lengthy discussions with the Premier League and explained our position.

“But at this moment the game is still on.

“They have told us they are not prepared to call off the fixture and we just have to get on with it.

“This is not about players being injured but about the risk to players from both teams — and staff at both clubs.

“If the match is postponed people will call us whingers.

“But if we play the game and the conjunctivitis is passed on to the Boro players, then we will get the blame.”

Shay Given has returned to training after recovering from the virus, so it is hoped that he will be fully fit for Saturday's game, while Tony Caig is still out of action, as is Andy O'Brien, Lee Bowyer and Laurent Robert (all with conjunctivitus).

Darren Ambrose (knee), Titus Bramble (hamstring), Shola Ameobi (back), Stephen Taylor (foot), Jonathon Woodgate (thigh) and Kieron Dyer (hamstring), are also out of action.

Nicky Butt and Patrick Kluivert are also not 100% fit.