Robert's six-week lay-off

By Matthew Jones
August 5 2002

Laurent Robert is facing six weeks on the sidelines after the French winger was found to have a stress fracture in his back. Vianna should be used on the left, although he has made it clear he prefers the central midfield role.

Laurent Robert is facing six weeks on the sidelines after the French winger was found to have a stress fracture in his back.

But the club have quickly rebuffed suggestions that Robert will miss the entire season after breaking his vertebrae.

It is not known when Robert picked up the injury but he felt a pain in his back on the tour of Holland and a scan has revealed a stress fracture in his vertebrae.

The injury is thought to have been caused by the hip muscle problem which dogged him throughout last season.

Sir Bobby Robson is now expected to use Portuguese new-boy Hugo Viana on the left flank, although the 19-year-old has made it plain he much prefers a central midfield role.