NEWCASTLE NEWS

lovablemum · Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 4068 Location: Northants

Newcastle striker Michael Owen has added to Graeme Souness' injury worries after suffering a hamstring strain in a practice match.

The 25-year-old England forward limped out of the game after 20 minutes and Shola Ameobi has now been placed on alert for a possible start against Sunderland on Sunday.

He has suffered hamstring problems in the past while at Liverpool, and Magpies boss Souness, already struggling with a long injury list, will be hoping the injury is not serious.

The practice match in which Owen was injured had been arranged to help Nolberto Solano and Emre reacquaint themselves with the first team after a spell on the sidelines.

Number two goalkeeper Steve Harper also suffered an injury in the same match. Midfielder Lee Bowyer (knee) is struggling to be fit while Kieron Dyer and Albert Luque will miss out.

Newcastle suffered a further blow on Tuesday night as defender Craig Moore hobbled off at half-time in a reserve match against Birmingham.

The practice match in which Owen was injured had been arranged to help Nolberto Solano and Emre reacquaint themselves with the first team after a spell on the sidelines.

Number two goalkeeper Steve Harper also suffered an injury in the same match. Midfielder Lee Bowyer (knee) is struggling to be fit while Kieron Dyer and Albert Luque will miss out.

Newcastle suffered a further blow on Tuesday night as defender Craig Moore hobbled off at half-time in a reserve match against Birmingham.

~~debbydo~~ · Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 19951 Location: Hertfordshire

i wonder where thye are now micheal owen i s playing
i hope they are oding well. :-D

lovablemum · Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 4068 Location: Northants

Newcastle are 11th and Liverpool are 13th

reddevilleanne · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Posts: 13227 Location: Nottingham

Souey: Lay off Boumsong
By Chris Stanton - Created on 18 Dec 2005

Graeme Souness has leapt to the defence of his under-fire Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong.

Boumsong arrived at St James' Park last season in an £8 million switch from Rangers but a series of high-profile mistakes have led many to question the judgement of Souness.

The Scot, however, insists problems off the field have made Boumsong's Premiership initiation more fraught than it might otherwise have been.

Serious illnesses to his wife and son have forced Boumsong to commute between Newcastle and his ailing family in France and Souness believes the trauma has inevitably had a detrimental impact on his performances in a black and white shirt.

"Jean-Alain has had problems off the pitch. His little lad off the pitch has had several operations and his wife has been seriously ill," said Souness.

"Jean-Alain has had a great deal to put up with.

"People don't realise how much it affects him but he has got on with his game."

Souness hailed the character of Boumsong and insists that slowly but surely the Frenchman is becoming accustomed to The Premiership's cut and thrust.

"I work with him every day and I can see his character," added Souness.

"He is the first one to hold up his hand if he makes a mistake. He is still new and getting used to English football.

"He has been in our football nearly a year and I'm very happy with him."

Saturday's 3-2 win at West Ham lifted everyone at St James' Park and Souness may have further cause to celebrate with Kieron Dyer poised to make a Boxing Day return.

Dyer has been dogged by injuries but has targeted the match with Liverpool in which to make his latest comeback.

Souness remains wary of rushing Dyer back too soon but believes that regular first team football could yet see him force his way into Sven Goran Eriksson's World Cup reckoning.

"Kieron's return would be an ideal Christmas present for everyone at the club," added the Scot.

"We are monitoring him week by week and he is trying something new.

"We are just hoping we can get him back playing regular football.

"Can he make the World Cup? Why not?"

reddevilleanne · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Posts: 13227 Location: Nottingham

Magpies happy with win
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 17 Dec 2005

Alan Murray felt it was important Newcastle United followed up a win over Arsenal by beating West Ham United.

The Magpies prevailed 4-2 at Upton Park to build on the momentum gained from last week's 1-0 success at home to Arsenal.

Assistant manager Murray was the mouthpiece for his boss Graeme Souness and he stressed the importance of picking up the three points.

"It was backwards and forwards and we kept giving them opportunities to get back in the game," said Murray.

"Last week's result has meant we've got a great platform. We took advantage of that today and winning today on the back of last week emphasised the fact we can now get in there and hopefully have a great Christmas."

Michael Owen's hat-trick was the foundation for the win in the capital and Murray lauded the qualities of the England hit-man.

He added: "Nobody needs to be told about Michael Owen.

"He's top drawer, he's so quick. He thinks quicker, runs quicker and gets in there. When he gets a chance he puts it in the back of the net."

Newcastle's defence has been much maligned on occasions this season and Murray paid tribute to the resilience shown in the face of a West Ham onslaught.

Murray continued: "We were under the cosh for long periods. West Ham have got lots of pace in the side and like to get the ball forward early.

"We've defended really well and shown a lot of character and determination not to be beaten.

"If we do that, allied with Michael's quickness and Shearer's determination, we've got a potent force up there."

reddevilleanne · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Posts: 13227 Location: Nottingham

Owen hits treble heights
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 17 Dec 05

Newcastle United completed a smash-and-grab raid in the capital after earning a 4-2 win over West Ham United at Upton Park.

A hat-trick from Michael Owen, displaying the qualities which persuaded Newcastle to buy him from Real Madrid, was the highlight of a game the visitors did not deserve to win.

Alan Shearer was also on the scoresheet as he edged towards a club landmark, while West Ham scored through a Nolberto Solano own goal and a Marlon Harewood penalty.

A traffic accident had delayed kick-off at Upton Park by 30 minutes and West Ham wasted little time getting into the thick of the action.

Robbie Elliott had to hack clear a Matthew Etherington centre, while another cross was only partially cleared to the edge of the area where Carl Fletcher drove a shot straight at Shay Given.

But, from Given's resultant hoof downfield, The Magpies took the lead. Tomas Repka dithered trying to control Scott Parker's header, Shearer and James Collins jostled for the loose ball, which fell to Owen and he placed a low shot past Roy Carroll.

Owen and Shearer then combined for the Magpies captain to snap a volley wide, but the first half was largely dominated by the home side.

Prompted by the skill and vision of Yossi Benayoun, The Hammers were a lively threat and equalised on 20 minutes, although the scruffy nature of the goal should not detract from the fine build-up.

West Ham worked the ball from their own penalty area to Harewood wide on the right. His low cross into Newcastle's six-yard box was thumped straight at Solano by Titus Bramble and into the visitors' net.

Bramble was then fortunate not to concede a penalty after being outfoxed by Benayoun and the Newcastle centre half was later booked after being bamboozled by the Israeli once again.

Just before the half-hour, the in-form Bobby Zamora was denied by the leg of Given after latching on to Etherington's incisive pass.

Anton Ferdinand headed at Given, while at the opposite end, a clever Shearer header created a chance for Scott Parker to flash a shot just wide.

Newcastle were back in front two minutes before half time after more slack defending from the hosts. Solano's free kick was whipped in from the left, Owen stooped, and though his timing was off, the ball clipped his back and crept in the far post.

Shola Ameobi, looking uncomfortable on the left wing, was booked five minutes into the second half after felling Benayoun before West Ham were close to equalising three times in about a minute.

Firstly, Harewood took advantage of loose defending by Newcastle's centre halves to break free, but he was denied by the outstretched leg of Given.

Secondly, with the ball cleared from that initial opening, Hayden Mullins let fly with a fierce shot from 25 yards which bounced back off the post.

Thirdly, Harewood smashed a free kick back across goal, Collins reacted quickly to steer the ball towards goal, but Shearer was razor sharp to prevent a certain leveller.

Shearer then proved his worth at the end where he has built his career after netting his 199th goal for Newcastle on 66 minutes. Parker's intelligent run created space for Owen to play in Shearer and the Magpies legend drilled his finish beyond Carroll.

But West Ham were allowed back into the game on 73 minutes after Ameobi led with his arm in the penalty area and saw the ball strike his outstretched limb. Harewood confidently dispatched his spot kick to give the hosts some hope.

That evaporated in injury time as, with West Ham's defence left bare, Amdy Faye rolled the ball across to an unmarked Owen who, with Carroll hopelessly out of position, completed his hat-trick with a simple finish.