Newcastle suffer Duff injury blow

[Scottish Mag 3]

Newcastle United's Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff is unlikely to be fit to play for new boss Sam Allardyce until November at the earliest.

Duff had foot surgery three weeks ago after injuring his ankle during a 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth in April.

 

"It's six months but it depends on when he gets the cast off," said Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton, ahead of a friendly with Ecuador in New York.

 

"Who knows what we're looking at, but it's at least five to six months."

 

Duff's injury means he is likely to miss the Republic's four remaining Euro 2008 qualifiers.

 

The Republic are away to Slovakia and the Czech Republic in September, before home games against Cyprus and Germany in October and November respectively.

 

Staunton added: "I think we'll be planning without him for the campaign because he'll only be regaining his fitness.

 

"If he comes back before that, brilliant for us. And if he doesn't, well, I'll have planned without him."

 

When Allardyce took over as Newcastle boss last week he said he would introduce the sort of scientific approach at the club that was he patented at Bolton - and hoped it would help solve the Magpies persistent injury problems.

 

Allardyce said: "There have been too many injuries. They seem to be forever talking about the everlasting injury list. One of the first things I will have to look at are why those injuries have happened.

 

"Far too many players have had too many injuries too often."

[Walliver 0]

Newcastle United's Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff is unlikely to be fit to play for new boss Sam Allardyce until November at the earliest.

Duff had foot surgery three weeks ago after injuring his ankle during a 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth in April.

 

"It's six months but it depends on when he gets the cast off," said Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton, ahead of a friendly with Ecuador in New York.

 

"Who knows what we're looking at, but it's at least five to six months."

 

Duff's injury means he is likely to miss the Republic's four remaining Euro 2008 qualifiers.

 

The Republic are away to Slovakia and the Czech Republic in September, before home games against Cyprus and Germany in October and November respectively.

 

Staunton added: "I think we'll be planning without him for the campaign because he'll only be regaining his fitness.

 

"If he comes back before that, brilliant for us. And if he doesn't, well, I'll have planned without him."

 

When Allardyce took over as Newcastle boss last week he said he would introduce the sort of scientific approach at the club that was he patented at Bolton - and hoped it would help solve the Magpies persistent injury problems.

 

Allardyce said: "There have been too many injuries. They seem to be forever talking about the everlasting injury list. One of the first things I will have to look at are why those injuries have happened.

 

"Far too many players have had too many injuries too often."

[Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0]

Has there been any more news on whether the Zog is staying or not?

[Besty 4]

Aye, I was just about to say atleast Zog may think of staying now. Hopefully he can find his form again.

[Guest alex]

Hopefully he'll be fit for the January transfer window.

[MattM4 0]

Shame. Our squad for the start of the season is becoming smaller by the day. Would have been a good chance for him to get a new start.

 

Won't be losing any sleep over his injury though, this leaves the door wide open for Zoggy. Great.

[geordieshandy 0]

And he'll promptly walk straight into the frame.

[MattM4 0]

And he'll promptly walk straight into the frame.

Don't see why... we have a proper manager now.

[geordieshandy 0]

Have you not seen T-Keith's avatar?