SPANISH Under-21 international Jose Enrique has given Newcastle United’s interim manager Joe Kinnear his first bit of good news.
For Kinnear hopes to have the former Villarreal left-back in his squad when they leave Tyneside on Saturday for the game with Everton at Goodison Park the following day.
Throw in the fact that midfielder Danny Guthrie has now served his three-match ban and understandably the mood was a little bit better when Kinnear briefed his squad for the first time at the club’s training ground today.
Enrique has not been seen since he limped off a minute before the interval in the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal at the end of last month clutching his hamstring.
However, Kinnear told me today: “I have had a long chat with Chris Hughton and our medical team and the only one of the injured players we are likely to have back at Everton on Sunday is Jose Enrique.
“This will give us a boost, as will having Danny Guthrie back from suspension.”
Enrique has not had the best of starts to his season when he took United’s advice to shed a few pounds in the summer to heart and came back underweight and lacking strength in his upper body.
As a result, Enrique was not included in Kevin Keegan’s plans until he gave him his chance in the Carling Cup tie at Coventry, and the Spanish defender responded by making the winning goal for Michael Owen.
As a result, Keegan gave him his first Premier League start of the season four days later at The Emirates, but he did not even last the first 45 minutes.
But the situation that United find themselves in, banking on Enrique who blows hot and cold, just sums up the problem Keegan warned about and which has been inherited first by Chris Hughton and now by Kinnear.
For since Keegan left on September 4, United have not used a recognised full-back – either right or left – in their starting line.
Geremi, David Edgar and Steven Taylor have all stood in at right-back, while the excellent Habib Beye recovers from an Achilles injury.
And central defender Sebastien Bassong and midfielder Charles N’Zogbia have been used on the opposite flank.
After being briefed on the injury situation, Kinnear added today: “Unfortunately, the key players we’ve got missing could make us a better side. Chris says there are six players who, if fit, could be in the team.
“We’ve also not got the strongest bench.”
Meanwhile, striker Mark Viduka – who has not kicked a ball for Newcastle this season because of an niggling Achilles problem – is expected to fly to his native Australia next week to see a specialist.
Consequently, United cannot pencil in any comeback date.
But Everton have cleared up their Tim Cahill situation with match referee Mike Riley after their Aussie was sent off in Saturday’s derby match with Liverpool.
Everton were under the impression that Cahill had already been booked before he was red-carded by Riley, but the referee says this was not the case.
So if Cahill wins his appeal against his red card, and even if it is downgraded to a yellow, he would be available to play against United on Sunday.
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