Newcastle fear Duff may be out for six months
Newcastle are keeping their fingers crossed amid fears winger
Damien Duff could be sidelined for up to six months.
The 28-year-old Republic of Ireland international underwent surgery
on a foot injury late last week and is beginning his
rehabilitation.
Duff's operation is the 13th for the club this season and while the
Magpies believe it has been a success and are hoping he could be
ready to resume early in the new season, the word from Dublin,
where he is recuperating, is not so positive.
Reports from Ireland suggest the former Blackburn and Chelsea
midfielder could be out of action for six months, and that would
come as a major blow as Newcastle attempt to bounce back from a
difficult campaign.
A club statement said: 'Damien Duff has undergone a foot operation
following the injury sustained during Newcastle United's game at
Portsmouth on April 14.
'The Republic of Ireland international has been sidelined since the
game at Fratton Park, but underwent surgery on his injured right
foot last Friday.
'The operation was a success, and left-winger Duff is now
recuperating back in Dublin.'
It is Duff's second operation of the season after he underwent a
procedure to repair damaged knee cartilage.
The £5million signing from Chelsea has struggled to make the impact
he was expected to in his first campaign at St James' Park after
Glenn Roeder swooped to bring him back north last summer.
He was signed as an out-and-out winger, but has at times had to
play as a striker and at left-back as injuries have decimated the
squad.
Newcastle are currently in the process of recruiting Roeder's
successor following his resignation last Sunday with Sam Allardyce
in pole position.
But whoever eventually lands the job will be keen to have Duff back
at his disposal as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, Newcastle skipper Scott Parker has become the latest
player to join the injured list after undergoing surgery to repair
a hernia.
The 26-year-old midfielder has travelled to Germany for the
operation and will miss the club's final game of the season at
Watford on Sunday.
However, he is expected to be fit for the start of pre-season
training in July.
Parker's operation is the 14th undergone by a Magpies player this
season after the club confirmed winger Duff had surgery on a foot
injury last Friday.
Newcastle hope he will be fit early in the new season, but reports
from Ireland, where he is recuperating, suggest he could be
sidelined for up to six months.