Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder has revealed that he has
mounting problems in midfield ahead of the North East club's FA Cup
tie with Birmingham on Saturday.
The Magpies have already had to cope with an injury-ravaged defence
in recent weeks and now Turkish schemer Emre is a doubt for the
third round tie against the Championship side.
The former Internazionale midfielder damaged his groin in the 2-2
draw with Manchester United on New Year's Day and his participation
in the cup game is firmly in the balance.
With captain Scott Parker suspended, and Nicky Butt also a doubt
alongside confirmed absentees Charles N'Zogbia and Damien Duff,
Roeder is scratching his head as he ponders how to solve the injury
crisis that is sweeping his squad.
"Emre is feeling his groin and it is touch and go whether he will
make it at Birmingham City on Saturday," revealed Roeder.
"Obviously, we knew at Everton on Saturday that when Scott Parker
was booked, he would not be able to play at St Andrews.
"But Nicky Butt is desperate to play having been on loan there last
season and he is hoping the ankle injury which kept him out against
his other old club Manchester United on Monday will be okay."
Newcastle have fielded an extremely inexperienced defence over the
festive period and Titus Bramble's comeback from a calf problem has
now been delayed due to injury.
"Titus Bramble came in for what we hoped would be a very light
training session yesterday, but he had all the symptoms of the
flu," Roeder added.
"Taking into consideration our current situation, we soon packed
him back off home.
"It is almost at the stage where we will be saying `will the last
man standing please turn out the lights' - and it looks as though
the way things are going, that man could be me."