The news is starting to look much better that Newcastle could have both Nicky Butt and Jose Enrique fit for the FA Cup 3rd round game at KC Stadium tomorrow against Hull City.
Jose Enrique – likely to be fit for tomorrow
Both players took part in some light training yesterday and will presumably undergo fitness tests today, to see if they will be fit for the short trip to Kingston Upon Hull.
If Enrique is fit then the likely back four will be Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong and Enrique, and that looks quite strong and will also allow the in-form Charles N’Zogbia to be used in an attacking role against a Hull side who may well rest some of their key players.
Manager Phil Brown has already stated that staying in the Premier League is their number one priority this season.
Joe will also of course be welcoming back 22 year old Frenchman Sebastien Bassong, who has performed wonderfully well for the team over the last couple of months, and was badly missed against Liverpool.
But Habib Beye is out for up to two months, and while we expect Steven Taylor to be switched to right back in his place Joe may elect to keep young David Edgar there for his second game running, since he played quite well there on Sunday, and did score a good goal.
If Enrique is not fit Edgar could also be switched to left back as he can play in either full back position, although his preferred position is center-back.
These games are important for Edgar because we still don’t think he will be offered a new contract in the summer, when his current deal runs out – so these are games in which has a big opportunity to impress manager Joe Kinnear.
Comments welcome.
27 comments so far
The Entertainers
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Comment #1Before the idiots start……its great news to have both players back.
Geordie SPIDERMAN18 (GG7)
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Comment #2good news, both have been playing quite well
M.Stockley
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Comment #3i like jose, unlike most….good to have him back
Toon Graeme
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Comment #4A light at the end of the tunnel?
Any news is good news re injuries.
NotAGhostToon
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Comment #5Great news, I do hope though that we get to see a youngster or two start such as Lualua and Caroll.
Spyro
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Comment #6Happy Enrique is back, but i was hoping Geremi would step in for Butt.
sirjasontoon
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Comment #7Wow…so Glad Butt is back we need his speed and creativity like nobody’s business haha
If we risk senior players in this game we are mugs..a few more key injuries and we slip further down the table…give the reserves a run out and focus on prem survival..we do not need to be in a cup we have no chance of winning.
toonfan1
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Comment #8I reckon the team will be if Enrique and Butt are fit enough:
Harper (not sure if Given will be included)
Taylor Coloccini Bassong Enrique
Jonas Guthrie Butt N’Zogbia
Duff
Owen
James
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Comment #9Leave Butt out. He needs a break big time
Toon Graeme
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Comment #10SirJasonToon
I have been saying that for weeks and got slated for my view.
Its good that someone else thinks the same as me
MATTY_G
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Comment #11El torro es muy bien!!!! José has been improving steadily in a set back four.
JonnyNUFC
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Comment #12Shove Geremi in for Butt & give some of the youngsters a good run out
Whumpie
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Comment #13For once I agree with the Butt-bashers; I think perhaps he could do with a rest, and having Geremi (is he fit?) in there may be a good move for a tie like this where keeping things stable towards the back will be important.
Butt’s great when on his game but we have to mindful of his age.
NotAGhostToon – totally agree on Kaz and Caroll – I’d like to see them both up there tomorrow at some point.
nightfall
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Comment #14butt back? why is this a good news?
Whumpie
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Comment #15I’d like to see this at some point during the match:
— Harper
Taylor Coloccini Bassong Enrique
Geremi
— Jonas Guthrie Lua Lua
— Carroll Owen
Zog had a total ‘mare on Sunday and could do with a bit of bench time (and may be needed for LB if Enrique’s still crocked)
Zangwill
Jan 2, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Comment #16Butt back Oh no a great bad news. Martins when will u be back? Please sell Owen as quick as possible if he does not stay in Newcastle!
Whumpie
Jan 2, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Comment #17Interesting story breaking; an update on the Given situation: http://www.shieldsgazette.com/nufc/Kinnear-latest-on-unsettled-Given.4839583.jp
Is this:
a) A lawyer stirring it a-la-Zoggas
b) Given putting his toys back in his pram after a long-overdue chuck-out
c) Milner all over again?
TROJAN 69
Jan 2, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Comment #18well everything is hunky doori as butt and enrique are back,the two blokes in our side who play for the opposition.
Whumpie
Jan 2, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Comment #19Ooh, harsh, Trojan, harsh. And a bit unfair, I think.
Butt does nearly have his bus pass, but has held together a lot of tricky games for us in the past season or so, and apart from Sunday, when he was injured, Jose has been getting a lot better.
Tommy_PA
Jan 2, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Comment #20No one should be risked staright back from injury, especially after only light training”. I’m all for doing an Arsenal, put some youngsters in there.
Looking at how tight the league is, it might take a greater number of points to secure safety or at least one point can make all the difference. We need to preserve some legs and we need to find out who in the reserves can step up a level and is worth keeping on the books.
TROJAN 69
Jan 2, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Comment #21whumpie,aye probably a bit harsh on jose,not butt though.
Nick
Jan 2, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Comment #22Yes good news on Enrique Ed.
However, Butt should not really play for us again. It’s sad to see someone who is so badly past it and so uncreative and inaccurate with his passes and so liable to daft challenges continue as our number 1 midfielder !!! I doubt any top 6-8 teams would take him now. Get Lua Lua in now or Larrson. Why not play a sweeper in a 3-4-3?
That would just make way too much sense.
Kinnear is a pathetic joke who needs to go asap.
Why is he so pathetically trying to hold on to Owen and Given ? A good manager would see Shay needs a change for his own good, bring in Krul / Harper and get on with it, not continually contradict everything anyone says.
Similarly with Owen. A good manager would see Owen doesn’t want to be here, bring in Ranger, possibly Xisco and freshen things up. Even have a plan B and play 3 up front, instead of his inflexible old school 442.
Joke Kinnear is a totally negative manager who doesn’t see the bigger picture and won’t take any risks. Oh for a Van Gall or Advocaat.
Let’s hope Allardyce buys Smith, Cacapa, Geremi, Viduka.
Nick
Jan 2, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Comment #23Certainly Lua Lua deserves a go but I don’t think Carroll will ever make it. Poor attitude in that he thinks he is far better than the reality. Would much rather see Ranger but kinnear won’t play him
Tom_Toon
Jan 2, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Comment #24Lualua needs to play against Hull.
He is the youngster who is most ready for the first team.
scotty
Jan 2, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Comment #25Perfect game for ranger too… We may not need to sign a new striker when owen goes. This boy certainly needs a bash at the first team.
selly no skill
Jan 2, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Comment #26why not try jonas and guthrie in the middle,duff or lua lua right zog left and either xisco or caroll up front with owen for some aerial ability.we dont play good enough to play with duff and owen up front.they are too light and no good in the air,unless we sit back of course and hit them on the break which never seems to work for us either cos we always let a goal in and then the other team backs off
brutooooon
Jan 3, 2009 at 3:45 AM
Comment #27yupz i agreed that we should play some of the youngsters and try several changes.
Harper
Taylor Edgar Bassong Enrique
LuaLua Guthrie Coloccini Zoggy
Owen Carroll
This way, collocini play DM, Edgar play on this preferred position. Give jonas a rest and play lualua. Owen-Caroll partnership suits the big man-small man striker partnership.
Then when we are winning, gave xisco,kadar,rangers a 15 mins run.