Source: Northern_Echo
Magpies call on FA to punish City's de Jong
NEWCASTLE have written a "strongly-worded letter" to the Football Association criticising the tackle from Nigel de Jong that left Hatem Ben Arfa nursing a double break to his left leg.[LNB] Ben Arfa underwent surgery in Manchester on Monday and Magpies officials have asked the FA to take "appropriate action" against de Jong for the tackle in Sunday's Premier League clash which they believe was "unnecessary and used excessive force".[LNB] In a statement, the club also confirmed they will be writing to the Referees' Association about Martin Atkinson's performance during the game, in which he failed to take any action against de Jong.[LNB] Newcastle are also unhappy with Atkinson's failure to award a second-half penalty at Eastlands despite Joleon Lescott appearing to trip Shola Ameobi, and the referee's decision to award the home side a spot kick despite replays showing Mike Williamson's tackle on Carlos Tevez had taken place outside the area.[LNB] However, news that Atkinson had noted the tackle on Ben Arfa in his report means it will be difficult for the FA to take any action against de Jong, who has subsequently been dropped from the Holland international squad by coach Bert Van Marwijk.[LNB] Ben Arfa is expected to be sidelined for up to six months, but Danny Guthrie and Danny Simpson have given Chris Hughton a big boost by featuring for Newcastle's second string in yesterday's behind-closed-doors match with Aston Villa.[LNB] The pair are yet to feature for Hughton's side this season, with Simpson recovering from ankle surgery and Guthrie recovering from a knee injury sustained days before the opening fixture of the season at Manchester United.[LNB] Guthrie could make a return to the Magpies squad for their next game against Wigan a week on Saturday, and the midfielder admits he is raring to go should his manager come calling.[LNB] "Yeah, I felt pretty good out there and it was good to get the full 90 minutes under my belt," said Guthrie. "I wanted to stay out there for the whole game and show the manager I'm match fit.[LNB] "It's been difficult to watch, it's been really frustrating, especially after working so hard last year to get the club back into the Premier League. To get such a bad injury was hard to take, but thankfully I'm back now.[LNB] "This was the final step really. I've been training with the first team for the last couple of weeks and I'm pushing for selection now.[LNB] "It's definitely been the most frustrating injury I've had. I had done a full pre-season, was fit and raring to go and picked up the knee injury two days before the Manchester United game.[LNB] "I was devastated at the time because I'd spent all summer building up to that game, but I've just had to get my head down and be patient."[LNB] Alan Smith and Ryan Taylor also featured in yesterday's fairly low-key affair which finished 0-0 - a stark contrast to first-team clash, which saw the then Villa caretaker boss Kevin McDonald's side thrashed 6-0 back in August.[LNB] Newcastle made a good start to the game and almost took the lead in the seventh minute after Guthrie played a fine ball through to Xisco, who was denied well by Villa keeper Elliot Parish.[LNB] Northern Ireland international Shane Ferguson was the next player to force a good save from Parish after he collected the ball just outside the area and fired a stinging shot, which the keeper did well to parry.[LNB] Guthrie was keen to impress the watching Hughton and he continued to make an impact on his return when he broke up a Villa attack and passed well to Xisco, who sent Phil Airey through but again the Villa keeper pulled off a great save.[LNB] The second half saw few chances created, with both sides cancelling each other out and despite a late string of corners for Villa, the match ended goalless.[LNB] NUFC: Soderberg, Simpson (J.Henderson 75), Dummett, A.Smith (Donaldson 46), Grieve, Tavernier, R.Taylor, Guthrie, Airey, Xisco, Ferguson (Ameobi 80).[LNB] Subs (not used): Alnwick (gk), McLaughlin.[LNB]
