Roeder has done a realistic job

Posted on 13th December 2006

Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder has done a realistic job with the injuries he has had to contend with according to chairman Freddy Shepherd. The Magpies go into Wednesday's match with Chelsea eight games unbeaten in all competitions, which has seen Glenn Roeder's side move up to 14th in the table and go into the knockout stages of the Uefa Cup.

"I have supported Newcastle United for over 50 years but never in that time can I recall such a run of injuries as we are experiencing now," he said. "The manager, his staff and the players have really done a fantastic job for this football club in the most difficult of circumstances. In my meetings with Glenn Roeder, I have to say he has never used this as an excuse for any bad performance and he has always kept his head up and in recent weeks. This was always going to be a difficult season for us going into it for the first time without Alan Shearer and then Michael Owen being injured before a ball was kicked, and while obviously we are looking for a higher Premiership placing, the board cannot complain at the recent efforts of the management and players."

Meanwhile Newcastle United defender Titus Bramble has been in hospital for more than a week the club have revealed. The player's injured calf swelled to double its normal size and this prompted him to be sent to hospital. The twenty–five–year–old suffered the injury during the 0–0 Uefa Cup draw with Eintracht Frankfurt on 30 November.

"Titus has spent eight days in hospital. The whole half of the bottom of his leg had doubled in size," said Newcastle United manager Roeder. "Thankfully, the doctors got to him in time and saw what the problem was. He is probably three weeks away from being fit, which could take out until the New Year. It is a real shame as he was having his best run when that happened."

Earlier Newcastle United news

Owen's desire drives him onwards
Roeder wants focus
Magpies have turned the corner
Doyle is the man to stop says Given
Rossi set to return to Manchester United
Yellow card was unbelievable
Clark slams Redknapp's comments
Staying cool was the key says Solano
Dyer can make England return – Redknapp
Roeder challenges Bramble to show his worth
Ameobi undergoes hip operation
Obafemi Martins plays best game
Duff and Moore both injured
We must take belief from point – Given
We must get in their faces says Dyer