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http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1085420,00.html

 

Given Fitness Update

 

By Paul Tully

 

MAGPIE goalkeeper Shay Given will have a scan on his groin on Monday after limping out of Newcastle United's final pre-season friendly.

 

Given was replaced by Steve Harper eight minutes before half-time of the victory over Sampdoria and manager Sam Allardyce revealed afterwards: "He felt his groin after one of his kicks in the first half.

 

"He will have a scan on Monday and we will know more about it tomorrow."

 

Added Big Sam: "Steve Harper stepped in no problem at all, and overall it was a very good performance.

 

"It was an excellent work-out. I think Sampdoria were probably the best team we have played.

 

"The movement of their players was extremely good and caused us quite a few problems. But we coped with that very well and stayed with it.

 

"Another clean sheet is very important, and I'm stressing that to the players."

 

Allardyce was pleased with the displays of his debutants Mark Viduka and Alan Smith, who headed the winning goal in the 59th minute.

 

"It's nice to see Mark Viduka back with us and Alan Smith and some of the injured lads getting a game," the United boss declared.

 

"I think apart from one top-class save from Shay in the first half and one from Steve that didn't look a problem for him, we coped very well.

 

"We've scored off a set-piece, too, which was very pleasing, and if we can carry on this form next week we will be happy."

 

Bit in bold highlighted for Baggio. :razz:

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Guest unrealterrorist

The scan revealed a tiny bit of Owen's knee in Given's groin apparently.

 

;D ;D ;D I spit my tea all over my monitor thanks for that. but seriously Foster is ok for cover.

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Guest sicko2ndbest

Given suffers injury setbackAug 8 2007

 

 

 

 

by Luke Edwards, The Journal

 

 

SHAY Given will miss the start of the season after being sent to see a specialist yesterday to assess the extent of the damage to his groin.

 

Goalkeeper Given was forced off with the problem in the first half of the 1-0 friendly win over Sampdoria last weekend and manager Sam Allardyce confirmed last night the Republic of Ireland international will be forced to miss the curtain-raiser at Bolton Wanderers this weekend.

 

The 31-year-old has been troubled by groin problems ever since he suffered an horrific stomach injury against West Ham last September and, while this is only a slight strain, Allardyce is not taking any chances with his number one shot-stopper.

 

“He has gone to see a specialist in London because we want to make sure just how much damage has been done,” said Allardyce, who will not recall youngster Tim Krul from his loan spell at Falkirk at this stage.

 

“He has been for a scan and it doesn’t look serious, it’s just a slight strain. At the moment we only expect him to be out for a couple of weeks, but we won’t take any risks.

 

 

“We’re happy with the initial diagnosis, but we have just sent him away to get a second opinion. He has had a few injuries of this kind recently and we want to make certain there are not going to be any side effects down the line.

 

 

“It doesn’t look as though it is going to keep him out for very long, so we won’t look to bring in another goalkeeper as cover at this stage.

 

 

“If the situation has changed after he has seen the specialist, and he is going to be missing for longer than we first thought, we might have to bring another keeper into the squad because we’ll be a bit short.” However, like his predecessors in the manager’s chair at Newcastle, Allardyce believes that, in Steve Harper, he has got one of the best back-up goalkeepers in the Premier League.

 

 

Harper has already played his fair share of pre-season football and Allardyce has no concerns about playing him against Bolton.

 

 

He added: “We are very fortunate to have two excellent goalkeepers here and we have no problem at all with playing Steve at the weekend. He has already shown that he is more than just an able deputy for Shay.”

 

 

However, Allardyce was unable to say when Michael Owen will return to training, although he is hoping the England striker will be back by the end of next week at the latest. He said: “Michael isn’t back in full training yet because of his thigh injury and I don’t know exactly when he will be, but hopefully it will be next week.”

 

 

Meanwhile, United transfer target Ivica Dragutinovic has insisted he will sign a new contract with Seville after rejecting a move to Tyneside.

 

 

Allardyce has persistently denied that he is interested in the Serbian international, although the player suggested last week that he was close to signing for the Magpies.

 

 

That, though, appears to have changed, with the 31-year-old centre back suggesting yesterday that he is ready to sign an extension with the Uefa Cup holders.

 

 

He said: “My family and I have enjoyed very much these two extraordinary years with Seville and now, in addition, I want to play in the Champions League. We have still got a few things to discuss and will make an announcement on Thursday or Friday.”

 

 

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Guest Guinness

Glad the injury doesn't seem too serious, it's good to see us taking the precautions necessary as well. Hopefully we'll see him back between the sticks in no time.

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My concern is that whilst it may be a "small" issue he's suffering from now it could just be a taste of what's to come.

 

Thanks to Harewood, he had a major operation and he will undoubtedly have some scar tissue, little things like that while being totally natural, can in an athlete cause issues with surrounding muscle's etc in the future. Hope not though.

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Guest 22bnw

I can't believe Marlon Harewood got away with that challenge a while back. Did the FA watch the replay? It was f****** disgusting.

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we have already recalled him yesterday or the day before

 

No we have not. He may well have been back at the training ground but he is still on loan at Falkirk, he will probs come down to Newcastle to train with us a few days a week.

 

It is against SPL rules to recall a player mid loan. As he is a 'keeper we could get him back if we plead special circumstances.

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No point recalling Krul if it's only a couple of weeks, but this does serve as a reminder that by loaning him out we do leave ourselves a bit exposed. An old cheap keeper on a one-year contract might not be a bad idea.

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Guest niina

I agree for not re-calling Krul back, as it only harm his development (re-called, then for the next weeks/months only sitting on the bench, compared to playing every week in Scotland).

 

While Given is out injured, just play Harper with Forster as a backup, then if something goes wrong (Harper or Forster injured), we can re-call Krul :)

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