Newcastle Have Injury Worries Ahead Of St Mary's Trip
Alan Pardew has a few headaches ahead of his return to St Mary's on Sturday, not least a long term injury to the club's marque summer signing.
Alan Pardew along with the club owner Mike Ashley is under fire from the Toon army for what is being seen as a disastrous transfer window, the club already short of fire power not only allowed Hatem Ben Arfa to go on loan to Hull City , but failed in the eyes of the fans to bring in sufficient strike power to bolster a side who despite their 10th position last season only scored 43 goals, barely one a game whilst at the other end conceded 59.
Pardew's problems have now been compounded by a long term injury to £6 million summer signing Siem De Jong who looks set to miss several months after damaging his thigh in training.
This all adds to the pressure on Pardew who has a supporter base who have not always been 100% behind him due to his closeness to owner Mike Ashley, Ashley is viewed with suspicion on Tyneside and now with his alleged interest in Rangers the opposition to him will be cranked up another notch or two and that will impact on Pardew.
Pardew will receive a warm welcome from Saints fans on Saturday though, during his year in charge at the club he put down the foundations for the push to the Premier league and although his axing after falling out with Nicola Cortese meant he was unable to see through the job he had started so well, Saints supporters realise that his work in those early months after administration stood us in good stead for years to come.
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