Newcastle United FC

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• Manager:Alan Pardew

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Duff boost for Magpies

21 Nov 2007 - 13:01:46

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Newcastle United have received a timely boost with the news that winger Damien Duff has returned to full training following a seven-month lay off.

The Republic of Ireland international has been out of action since picking up a foot problem in April which requires two rounds of surgery.

The 28-year-old winger has yet to feature for under Sam Allardyce, but the Magpies manager has revealed his delight at Duff's return to training.

His comeback coincides with the loss of injury-plagued England striker Michael Owen for at least four weeks with a thigh strain.

"It's great to see Damien back in training," Allardyce told the club's official website.

"He is just starting to join in with the players, and there will be a period of time when he gets used to training on a day-to-day basis.

"He'll have to get used to the physical contact first of all and from there we'll take it into a reserve match.

"We hope we'll have him back to the sort of level we know he can play at as quickly as possible.

"We're looking forward to having him back in the first-team squad, because Damien is a player of undoubted class who can play a big part for us this season."