NSG

Harsh.

In the squad for Sunday MICHAEL Owen was back in training with his Newcastle United team-mates on Friday and could be included in the squad to face Everton this weekend. The 27-year-old underwent two operations in Germany last weekend in a bid to cure the troublesome groin injury which saw him limp out of the last month's fixtures with Derby and West Ham. But, with that surgery having been deemed a success, gaffer Sam Allardyce says that Owen could be in line for a place on the Magpies bench when David Moyes' men come to St.James' Park on Sunday. "He has joined in training this morning and we are very pleased about that," said Big Sam. "He has been away for his one-on-one work with Mark Taylor, our head of Sports Science and Medicine. "He has come through his first session with the lads this morning OK and, as long as there's no reaction, we'll ask him tomorrow morning how it is. If it's fine he'll join in again and should be fit to join the squad on Sunday, which is good news. "But we have to bear in mind what Michael has been through recently and I'm always very protective for the future and I won't risk Michael Owen too early. "Every player thinks they are fit to play when they return from injury, but sometimes as a manager you have to look a bit deeper and make that decision." Owen was included in Steve McClaren's England squad on Friday for their forthcoming Euro 2008 Qualifiers with Estonia and Russia and the United boss says that the club's record signing will only play for the Three Lions if he is 100% fit. "It is nothing to do with Steve McClaren and England what I do with Michael Owen," said Sam. "It is what I think is the best for the football club and the team on Sunday, and Michael Owen all combined. "I have never been one to ask somebody to play and risk being injured again. "I take my medical staff's information, the highly-qualified staff I have got, and I take their recommendation. "Unless I am really, really desperate - and I mean really desperate - I would not ask a player to go out there who I do not think is going to complete the game, or is going to make his condition worse than it already is. "If he is fit, he is fit. If he plays on Sunday, then obviously he is fit to play for England then. "But I have to look at my position first and make sure if I am going to select him, he is 100 per cent able to do what I want him to do."

Dida making a good recovery: http://i20.tinypic.com/9kca38.jpg

"Even a six-year old girl would have been enough for Dida. Pathetic!” One fan even invoked a curse on Celtic fans, only to be broken if Dida’s nose is also."

What's Damien got to do with this?

Got to score a goal first

.cock DAVID Rozehnal says that he would love to celebrate the birth of his baby son with his first black and white goal when Everton come to Tyneside on Sunday. The Czech star's wife, Petra, gave birth to the couple's first child, Luka, in Newcastle on Wednesday, and Rozehnal is targeting three points against the Toffees to round-off what would be a perfect week for the 27-year-old. "My son Luka was born this week and both he and my wife are doing fine," David told nufc.co.uk. "I am very happy and there would be no better way to celebrate than with a win this weekend. If I can score a goal for Luka then that would be great too." The Geordies are looking to get over the disappointment of defeat at Man City last weekend, and the former PSG defender admits that no less than maximum points will do before he heads off to link-up with the Czech Republic for their latest round of Euro 2008 qualifiers. "Man City was disappointing because our defending let us down," he added. "We have the chance to put that right, like we did against West Ham after Derby, when we play Everton at St.James' Park on Sunday. "I am feeling good and have been pleased with my start at Newcastle and I'm glad the fans seem to have taken to me. "Of course I hope that I will get better and better but I feel I have settled in well. "We need some time to gel together but we're working hard and it's important we get the win in front of our own fans against Everton." --------------------------------------------------------- Congrats fella

Aye, good luck

Sorry for the shit MS paint skills here, but if player A is running with the ball is said direction, player b comes in with a ferocious slide tackle, wins the ball and it goes off in direction c, is it fair or a foul? Cheers http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/2456/tacklejj5.png

If i'm being honest, so far at Newcastle Joey Barton hasn't put a foot wrong. He's done and said all the right things, gone and supported the team, and generally come across as a top bloke despite his reputation as a "bad boy" and a nob head. To me it seems like all his hard work to improve himself is paying off and long may it continue.

...according to today's rags he was doing shuttle runs with Owen yesterday at the training ground. Just hope he can stay fit and get into some form

Ronaldinho on shirt 9

"Shoes off if you love Morecambe!" Sung by most of the Morecambe fans while holding shoes aloft at Sheffield Utd v Morecambe in the Carling Cup. Soon followed by "Shoe are ya?" Seems it's catching

Any relation to: http://blogs.reuters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/FrankGrimes.gif ?

They said that about Ronaldo as well.

Cheers for all the updates Greg. Quality stuff.

Sorry nsg...how do i do this ? ian Just click on the link mate, and put your file in the link box thingy and it will give you an internet link for it.

Legend. Use www.yousendit.com

Anyone got it when they thought they scum had scored in the last minute and it was ruled out? All I remember is something like "sit down you idiots, sit down. It doesn't count"

Brilliant

6' 1" IIRC. Hardly short.

.cock JOEY Barton will make his long-awaited return to action on Tuesday night when Newcastle United Reserves face his former club Manchester City. The 25-year-old has been sidelined since breaking a metatarsal in a pre-season friendly at Carlisle in late July and it had been reported he could face another four weeks out with Sam Allardyce refusing to take any risks with his £5.8m summer signing. But the United boss has decided that Barton is ready to begin his competitive comeback and will figure in a strong Magpies second-string at the Regional Athletics Arena situated in the shadow of the City of Manchester Stadium. Barton will be joined by fellow first-team stars Emre, Jose Enrique and Abdoulaye Faye as they too continue their quest for full match fitness. Lee Clark will start with the following side; Fraser Forster, Mark Bertram, Jose Enrique, Abdoulaye Faye, David Edgar, Emre, Matty Pattison, Joey Barton, James Troisi, Jonny Godsmark, Frank Wiafe Danquah. Subs: Mark Cook, Darren Lough, Callum Morris, Kazenga LuaLua, Mark Doninger

At least it shows that Sam knows we need a quality creative midfielder. Can't see us missing out on Elano stopping him wanting one.

And we haven't lost at home to Chelsea in the league since 01/02