Carver concerned over mounting injuries to Newcastle defense

Newcastle United travel to Manchester City in the grip of an injury crisis that threatens to expose the slender nature of their squad and John Carver’s lack of defensive options in particular.


While Paul Dummett, who can play at left-back or centre-half, will be sidelined for 10-12 weeks by a knee injury, Cheik Tioté, the team’s midfield enforcer, is waiting to hear whether his own knee problem will prove season ending and Siem de Jong, the former Ajax playmaker, has undergone major lung surgery.

With Steven Taylor, a centre-half, already sidelined until August by a ruptured achilles tendon and a minor knee complaint meaning Rémy Cabella’s midfield creativity will be missing at the Etihad, Carver knows he cannot afford any more injuries.

“If we start losing one or two or three more then we are in big trouble,” said Newcastle’s interim head coach. “But there’s nothing I can do about it. If you look at the injuries to four of our big players – Siem, Cheik, Dummett, Taylor – they’re serious injuries of the sort you usually only get once or twice a season. It’s a bit unfortunate. But it’s no good sulking or making excuses. That’s life and we have to deal with it.”

With Davide Santon, who can fill both full-back positions, loaned to Internazionale and Remie Streete a promising young centre-half loaned to Rangers, Dummett’s injury also represents a considerable blow. “It’s a concern,” acknowledged Carver, who could play Daryl Janmaat his right-back at centre-half and redeploy the midfielder Vurnon Anita to full-back. Meanwhile the versatile Ryan Taylor is close to returning from a knee injury.


By Louise Taylor, Guardian