Carr most likely out until August

[eirebhoy]

Souness:

"I don't think it is career threatening but my feeling is we will need to operate on Stephen and it is a serious enough operation to keep him out of action for the rest of the season.

Hopefully we can get him back onto the pitch in August.

Players must feel confident with what the medical people say, but we will accommodate him if he feels a visit to Dr Richard Steadman is what is required.

It's desperately bad news for Stephen, but we just hope the operation does the trick.

"We've been blighted by injuries this season and this is a blow for Stephen."

What that means is Finnan and Reid are certs to start the two Israel games now IMO. Its the same injury that kept him out for almost 2 years I think.

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

This is really bad news and throws question marks over Carr's future. I really liked the look of the side with Carr at right-back and Finnan on the right side of midfield. I dont think we get the same balance with Reid on the right. Id almost prefer to see Steven Kelly at right-back and to keep Finnan in front of him. Here's hoping Carr can make a full and speedy recovery.

[livehead1]

thats just a joke isn't it? you would prefer someone with no caps, about 10 first team starts ahead of Jeffrey Kenna or Graham Coughlan!!!! Andy Reid has to be in the Ireland side somewhere. hes pure magic and gettin better

[tricky_colour]

Andy Reid on the left wing and Duffer on the right would seem to be the
way to go, swopping wings to mix it up a bit.

[Slash/ED]

Duff has to play on the left, unless we try Chelseas formation or something, Reid on the right is fine atm.

[Slash/ED]

Garys retired hasn't he?

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

thats just a joke isn't it? you would prefer someone with no caps, about 10 first team starts ahead of Jeffrey Kenna or Graham Coughlan!!!! Andy Reid has to be in the Ireland side somewhere. hes pure magic and gettin better

Who is Graham Coughlan?? As for young Steven Kelly, its not inconceivable that he will be our first choice right back come Germany 2006. The suggestion of Duff on the right and Reid on the left makes more sense, with Zinedine Kilbane keeping his place in CM.

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

Garys retired hasn't he?

Yeah, Gary Kelly retired from international football and we wont be seeing him in an Irish shirt again.

[Slash/ED]

I can't say I'm too disappointed.

[Stuttgart88]

John O'Shea is a good right back (Poland away game) and he looks more comfortable there than at LB.

I'd say this means Finnan at RB, JOSH LB and Reid RHM though. A pity as I thought Finnan was very solid at RHM.

[eirebhoy]

Who is Graham Coughlan?? As for young Steven Kelly, its not inconceivable that he will be our first choice right back come Germany 2006. The suggestion of Duff on the right and Reid on the left makes more sense, with Zinedine Kilbane keeping his place in CM.
Plymouth centre half. He's one of our best centre halfs but because of his age and the league he plays in I doubt he'll be given a chance. He got promoted from division 2 to the SPL with Livingston and from the English division 2 to the the Championship with Plymouth. Thats 3 promotions in 5 years.

[eirebhoy]

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/irish_soccer_detail.asp?newsid=15767


Stephen Carr, who last week feared that he would be out of action until next season, has made a stunning return to fitness in recent days and has been included in Newcastle United’s squad for Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Coventry City.

Magpies manager Graeme Souness went public his fears that Carr would need corrective surgery to repair the knee injury that has kept him out of the side since last November.

The 28-year-old subsequently voiced his hope that he would not need to go under the knife – but even he could not have hoped that he would be back in action so soon.

While he is unlikely to be thrown straight into the side for the FA Cup visit of the Sky Blues, Carr could be on the bench at St James’s Park – giving Irish manager Brian Kerr a major boost ahead of the next World Cup qualifier against Israel in eight weeks’ time.
Great news.

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

That is great news. Lets just hope that we dont hear any more about this dreaded injury. Carr has great experience at both club and international level, he is a true winner, and has leadership qualities. He deserves to play in a World Cup finals.

[eirebhoy]

Carr started for Newcastle today, as did O'Brien, Given was rested.

[Slash/ED]

Second cup match in a row Given has been "rested" in, he's never been rested in another game afaik and he's the only player who was rested against Yeading anyway. Do Newcastle not want him cup tied for some reason? 'keepers are the last people on the team who really need resting espically as it's only January.