Emre to return for man city game
Emre eyeing City return Sep 14 2005
By Paul Gilder, The Journal
Emre has stepped up his efforts to solve Newcastle's midfield crisis and is expected to make his return to action in a black-and-white shirt against Manchester City on September 24.
But, although Graeme Souness will be without several pivotal performers at Blackburn this weekend, the United boss will not expedite the Turk's top-flight comeback after accepting that the risks involved would far outweigh any potential rewards.
With Albert Luque and Kieron Dyer ruled out of the trip to Blackburn, Nolberto Solano struggling for fitness and Scott Parker suspended, Souness could well use the services of his astute signing from Inter Milan. But given what happened the last time his return from injury was rushed - the 25-year-old suffered a recurrence of a hamstring problem and managed just 23 minutes against Manchester United last month - Emre will wait until the visit of Stuart Pearce's side to Tyneside before reacquainting himself with the top flight.
"He is feeling good but he knows he can't rush his comeback," revealed Ahmet Bulut, the player's Istanbul-based agent, who has been in regular contact with his client in recent weeks. "Emre knows that he must be 100% before he plays again. He can't be in the situation where he plays for 30 minutes and then has the same problem again.
"He will not play this weekend but he should not miss any more games. Emre is making really good progress with his fitness and he will be back for the game against Manchester City."
Although he has started just two league fixtures for the Magpies - the second curtailed by his troublesome hamstring - Emre has established himself as a favourite of supporters, having shown enough to suggest that he will be an important player as Souness attempts to steer his beleaguered side up the top-flight table.
The Turkish international is scheduled to return to full training on Monday; that United could be rooted to the foot of the Premiership table by then will not be lost on the popular schemer.
"Emre has a good relationship with the fans, even though he has not played much, and he wants to make things better for them," said Bulut last night.
"He is desperate to play again and to help Newcastle. He has started to run again and next week he will be back in training with the rest of the squad. After that, he should be ready."
Emre's imminent return could be deeply significant but, in the short-term, his progress will have given Souness little comfort as he plans a testing trip to Blackburn with a threadbare squad.
It is in midfield that the United manager's troubles lie and, although he initially planned to appeal against Parker's dismissal against Fulham last weekend, Souness has now accepted Alan Wiley's decision and will not contest the red card.
That means Newcastle will be without the England international - arguably the club's top performer so far this season - as they take on a combative Rovers team spearheaded by a vengeful Craig Bellamy.
Luque is facing six weeks on the sidelines while Dyer - whose fitness troubles are clearly not behind him - will be missing for the foreseeable future.
Why Newcastle's players continue to suffer so many hamstring problems is uncertain but it is an issue Souness must address if he is to stand any chance of success this season.
Of all the club's injured midfielders, only Solano has a chance of facing Blackburn - although the Peruvian remains a doubt with a thigh complaint. And that could leave Souness with just Amdy Faye, Lee Clark and Charles N'Zogbia to call upon as he prepares his team for Sunday's important encounter.
