Source: Northern_Echo
Ameobi injury scare
CHRIS Hughton was counting the cost of a bruising Carling Cup victory over Huddersfield Town last night after leading scorer Shola Ameobi limped off with a damaged ankle.
The Newcastle United caretaker manager, who believed his side deserved their 4-3 win over Lee Clarks side, is hoping both the big targetman and Jonas Gutierrez recover in time for Mondays Championship meeting with Leicester City.
The Argentina international suffered a hamstring strain and must be rated as doubtful.
Fabricio Coloccini, his international team-mate, was withdrawn from last nights squad as well as Steven Taylor but Hughton denied that signalled the pair are about to exit St James Park.
You arent to read anything into the fact that I rested Steven and Fabricio. Absolutely not. Both will be available for Mondays game, for sure, confirmed Hughton who was delighted to see his side shade a seven-goal, incident- packed cup tie courtesy of goals from Shola Ameobi, Kevin Nolan, Danny Guthrie and Geremi.
There is never a dull moment, he noted.
The neutrals will have thoroughly enjoyed tonight and the Newcastle supporters even more because we were able to come out on top in the end.
It goes down as a typical cup tie but I was pleased that we came out winners because I thought we were worthy of the victory.
After struggling in the first half, with Nile Ranger tasked to lead the line, Hughton threw on Ameobi and Gutierrez who helped turn the game.
Testament to Huddersfield, they pushed us to the limit and we didnt expect anything else, he said.
They gave us a tough game and we felt that if we were going to beat them we had to bring on that little bit of experience and quality.
But it does emphasise that we have a good squad but if we are to have any injuries then we are stretched.
We are hopeful the lads whove picked up knocks are going to be OK. Shola has turned his ankle and to be fair to him he came straight off the pitch when he felt it so hopefully that has minimised any damage.
Jonas felt his hamstring again but were hopeful that it is not a pull. We will assess them in the morning.
The extra couple of days we have to prepare for our next game will help because we need all of the players fit.
We played some of the younger lads like Kadar, LuaLua and Ranger and I asked Danny Simpson to slot in at centre-half which isnt his normal position.
So at least those lads have gained more experience which will stand them in good stead for the rest of the season because we need them and they were key to us getting the win tonight.
Terriers boss Clark noted Ameobis impact in the second half and urged the Newcastle hierarchy to halt the sale of any more players from Hughtons already depleted ranks.
I thought we were the better side in the first half and until Shola came on I felt it was going to be our night, he admitted. But he added something to their attack that had been lacking a more physical presence and, with Gutirrerez on the wing, they looked a different prospect.
But you could see in the first half with some of the young lads that Chris doesnt have too many numbers to call on and they just cant afford to let any more leave the club.
