Knee injury: Nicky Butt
Nicky Butt looks certain to miss out against his former
club
Manchester
United this week and could be
struggling to play his part in
Newcastle's fight for survival
this season.
The former England international is waiting for the
results of a scan after he injured medial knee ligament damage in
yesterday's defeat at
Bolton.
The stand-in Newcastle captain is expected to be ruled out for
at least another fortnight, which is another massive blow for
caretaker boss Chris Hughton who is already without Joey Barton,
Danny Guthrie and the suspended Kevin Nolan.
Another former United favourite Alan Smith could now start his
first game for nine months in central midfield on Wednesday.
Hughton said: 'Nicky has tweaked his knee. We won’t know the
extent of it until later today, but, of course, we’re hopeful it’s
very minor. In the past it’s an area we’ve suffered in.'
Meanwhile Newcastle defender Steven Taylor has warned his
team-mates they will be relegated unless they are prepared to fight
for their careers.
The England Under-21 captain says Newcastle players have to
stand up to the reality of their perilous position or face the
consequences.
Taylor said: 'This has to bring out the men in the dressing
room. We’ll see exactly who wants to play for this football club.
The lads need to show character and show exactly how much playing
for Newcastle means to them.
'We’re in a serious relegation fight. We’ve lost at Bolton in a
game we should have won. That didn’t happen and now we have to dust
ourselves off for Manchester United.
'They are the best team in the world. Now we have to be men and
stand up to that.'
