Newcastle United Football Club

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52193

Injuries bring Magpies closer

15 Dec 2006 - 08:19:58

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Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder believes the club's horrendous injury list has brought them closer together.

The Magpies lost their eight-game unbeaten run against Chelsea in midweek, but during the 1-0 defeat Roeder was without the services of 11 first-team regulars.

Charles N'Zogbia picked up a knee ligament injury at Stamford Bridge and is expected to be sidelined for at least a month, but ahead of the weekend visit of Watford, Roeder claims the injury crisis may have strengthened his squad in a perverse way.

"In a strange way, you could argue the injuries we have had have actually made the squad stronger," he said.

"This adversity has actually made us grow stronger. You can sense a real willingness from the injured players for the team to win the next game."

Roeder is sweating on the fitness of Emre (ankle), Nolberto Solano (groin), Scott Parker (back), Steven Carr (toe) and Kieron Dyer (thigh) ahead of the visit of the Hornets.

However, Titus Bramble, Damien Duff, Steve Harper, Craig Moore, Olivier Bernard, Shola Ameobi, Tim Krul and Michael Owen all remain sidelined.