When Pardew Signs Crocks - You Have To Expect Injuries

Last updated : 21 July 2011 By Footy Mad - Editor

BE

Alan Pardew signed two players this summer that failed medicals at Stoke City and Liverpool ... for God's sake!

What does Pardew know that those two clubs don't?

More important - what do Stoke City and Liverpool know that Pardew doesn't?

Then there is Hatem Ben Arfa - he gets a five year deal when he is on a stretcher coming to terms with a career-threatening injury.

Dan Gossling signs under the same circumstances.

So when Hatem Ben Arfa is taken to hospital during the 0-0 draw with Sporting Kansas City is it any surprise?

The Frenchman was carried off the field on a stretcher after a challenge by Roger Espinoza 30 minutes into the game during the early hours of this morning and taken for an X-ray on his left ankle.

It was later confirmed that Ben Arfa, who missed all but four games of last season with a double leg fracture, is to fly back to Tyneside as medics attempt to assess the full extent of any damage.

A club statement said: "Hatem Ben Arfa sustained an injury to his left ankle in a tackle during the club's friendly against Sporting Kansas on Wednesday evening and went to a local hospital for a precautionary X-ray.

"Consequently he will be leaving the club's US tour tomorrow and the injury will be reassessed over the next 48 hours."

The news is a fresh blow to manager Alan Pardew, who embarked on the tour on Sunday without Joey Barton, Yohan Cabaye and Nile Ranger after they were refused entry visas.

Ben Arfa too will hope the injury proves to be a minor one after a long haul back to fitness from the horrific break he suffered in a challenge with Manchester City's Nigel de Jong on October 3.

Summer signings Sylvain Marveaux and Demba Ba made debuts for the club at the Livestrong Stadium, but were unable to give them a winning start to their three-match tour.

Newcastle face Orlando City during the early hours of Sunday morning and Columbus Crew three days later.

DG

Pardew Questions Size Of Toon Squad!

Alan Pardew says Danny Guthrie and Shane Ferguson are likely to miss the start of the new season ... and he says two more injuries would put pressure on his side.

The duo picked up ankle and leg injuries respectively at Darlington on Friday night.

But with the club trying to off-load Leon Best, Nile Ranger, Wayne Routledge, Alan Smith and Shola Ameobi ... and Jose Enrique sure to leave ... isn't the situation only going to get worse?

We signed two players who failed medicals at other clubs (Liverpool and Stoke) and Dan Gosling and Hatem Ben Arfa have yet to show they have recovered from serious injuries.

This is the summer transfer window - a time to spend money and build a squad - and that doesn't seem to be happening.

The warning signs are there - we don't want to be caught the way we were in January - selling Andy Carroll on the last day and not bringing in a replacement.

Pardew: “It’s not particularly great news on either of them.

“It’s looking like neither will be ready for the start of the season.

“Fergie has probably got more chance than Guthrie.

“It’s OK, we can cope, but if we lost another two, then it won’t be OK.

“I wouldn’t say we’re on a knife-edge with injuries, but our squad isn’t particularly big.”

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