Missing and Missed

A shattering defeat away at Stamford Bridge.

"Souness’s troops, meanwhile, were missing their talisman, Alan Shearer, their heartbeat, Nicky Butt, their master of the overlap, Stephen Carr, and Andy O’Brien at the back." The Sunday Times.

"Their heartbeat." Nice.

Nicky's out for 4-6 weeks

Newcastle will go into this weekend's game against Premier League leader Chelsea without two of its biggest weapons: Alan Shearer and Nicky Butt. (someone knows what they're talking about!!)
Midfielder Butt has been diagnosed with tendinitis in his hamstring and will be out between four and six weeks. (Just as I feared; not a very happy Christmas for Nicky, I'm afraid. Finally gets first-team play and then this. He hasn't been injured much in the past, so hopefully he'll heal swiftly and that'll be the end of it.)

Nicky Sees Specialist

Nicky has been to see a specialist to see if they can get to the root of this ongoing hamstring problem. Keeping our fingers crossed that the outcome is positive. Love that The Evening Chronicle referred to Nicky as their 'midfield ace.' Too right.