It looks like Mark Viduka could be back in early September, and his time away with his Achilles tendon problems may be shorter than first thought.
Mark Viduka - could be back in early September
There’s no doubt Viduka was inspired in the latter part of the season by new manager Kevin Keegan, when Newcastle put together a good run of 7 games unbeaten.
During that time Mark showed what a good player he can be, if he can only shake off the injuries that have dogged his career.
Mark talked to the Evening Chronicle today and seemed really upbeat:
“For myself it has been difficult with injuries and things like that.â€
“The end of the season was great and I have enjoyed playing football again.â€
“Coming off at the end of games with a smile on your face is the best thing a footballer can do.â€
“I think for next season I hope we can push on the way we have been.â€
“For me personally, though, I would like to play more games and have fewer injuries.â€
Those are good words from Viduka, and that’s exactly what he needs to do - get really fit in pre-season and hope he can keep fit for most of the season. We do expect Kevin to add another striker to the mix in the summer, so Mark can have some games off, so he can keep really fit.
Mark continued:
“I want to be more consistent.” “I was starting to feel fitter with each game I played.”
“I would have liked to be like that for the whole season, and if I’d had a pre-season I would have been a lot stronger at the end.â€
The 32-times capped Australian managed 7 goals for the club last season, and some of them were important goals.
Mark has just one year left on his current contract at Newcastle, but also has a year’s option and that could see him at the club until 2010.
Viduka is looking ahead to pre-season training, but he is still expected to spend some weeks in the treatment room.
Finally Mark mentioned where he would like to see Newcastle next season:
“Hopefully I can get some pre-season under my belt and that’s basically what I’m after.â€
“We want to really have a go at things next season.â€
It would be great if Newcastle can be up there in the league next season, and that would certainly lift the whole mood on Tyneside - like the old days under Kevin Keegan.
Comments welcome.
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18 responses so far ↓
1 Toon_Ksk // May 24, 2008 at 13:48
Trust me, he won’t playing much next season as well.
2 NUFCFAN // May 24, 2008 at 14:35
get rid!
or get another striker in, let him retire the year after then get another big prospect.
Please can we have some story next week, rather than chat about nothing
3 Obafan // May 24, 2008 at 14:55
Gomis should be his replacement. Big, strong and (this is a good one for Wise and co) he is only 23 years old. So very good prospect for us, but it will be very hard to get him.
My 2 top priority players who I really would love to see as NUFC players next season are:
.
Gomis and Arshavin
But I think none of them will be at NUFC next year
4 Bill F // May 24, 2008 at 15:02
Have to say he surprised me towards the end of last season, I thought he was past it, but he done ok. I would think he is going to have to work bloo*y hard to compete for a place next season especially once the kids step up and if we have some new players. (IF)
5 Punk Skunk // May 24, 2008 at 15:34
He’s a great player, when fit!..
6 ToonKing // May 24, 2008 at 18:55
Vuduka…..rofl..
7 ronaldeano // May 24, 2008 at 21:26
Viduka is the the one who should take a paycut!
He is lazy at times but his goals are valuable.
He is going to be a crock until the day he retires.
We need a replacement NOW.
Dont get me wrong, i think Viduka is an excelent player, but we need an understudy NOW so he can learn from a great player like Viduka. Preferably a big strong bloke, ie, Carroll or Gomis
8 nightfall // May 24, 2008 at 21:33
Obafan - agree, gomis and arshavin…
and i’d take gomis over gomez, IF it’s true we’re trying to sign one of them..
9 Tom_Toon // May 24, 2008 at 21:38
Gomis over Gomez?? You are f****** mad.
Zigic please.
Gomis isnt worth anything near 17 mil, hes worth about 8.
We wont be able to get Gomez so off the top of my head ill go for Zigic.
10 nightfall // May 24, 2008 at 21:54
Tom Toon -
gomez is not worth 40m
and if modric’s worth 16m, it would be a very good deal if we could get gomis for 17m
11 ronaldeano // May 24, 2008 at 21:56
THERES ONLY ONE PHIL BROWN!!!!
Its great how a bloke who grew up with my dad as best mates, who is from the same estate i grew up in, and is a very close family friend, can take a club up into the PL for the first time in their history!!!
Im very proud of you Phil, you are a credit to South Shields! Even though you support Skumberland!
I will see you in the PL next season when NUFC will lash you!
Enjoy your day mate!
12 Tom_Toon // May 24, 2008 at 22:04
Gomis is too similar to so many players, hes nothing special. There are loads of lumbering centre forwards with a bit of pace and strength who miss far more chances than they score.
13 Rob // May 25, 2008 at 0:47
So Chelsea sack their manager, I wonder if they will have to endure weeks of comment from anyone and everyone about you need time to create a top team and that 8 months is rediculous for a manger and the fans and club need to be realistic etc etc…
dont think so
14 alex // May 25, 2008 at 1:04
niko zigic would be a quality signing. better than crouch, better than gomis.
15 seetow // May 25, 2008 at 7:53
ia gree with you tom_toon and alex.
something i’ve been saying for a really long time - GET ZIGIC!!! he can win headers off crouch like a small boy playing with a baby cat
16 matt // May 25, 2008 at 10:11
http://www.bolton.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=110642
mr zigic is very good in the air by all accounts and has been scouted by the top class managers of todays football…..yeah right!
17 Leo // May 25, 2008 at 11:15
dukes is a big player for us when he is fit
18 Oga // May 25, 2008 at 14:34
If we’re serious about trimming the wage bill the Viduka is the first player we must get rid of!
Duff, Geremi & Emre need to go as well.
Destroy and rebuild to make progress.
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