Cabaye and Taylor could return earlier than expected...

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport...aylor-could-be-back-before-schedule-1-5216097

By MILES STARFORTH
Published on Wednesday 12 December 2012 10:51


ALAN Pardew’s hoping Yohan Cabaye and Steven Taylor will return next month to bolster Newcastle United’s flagging season.


The influential pair had been pencilled to return in early February.

But Pardew has revealed there’s a chance Cabaye and Taylor will be back in the middle of next month.

Newcastle, beaten 2-1 at Craven Cottage on Monday night, have struggled to find a way to win without Cabaye’s creative vision in midfield.

And Taylor’s leadership and presence at the back has also been sorely missed in recent weeks.

Manager Pardew fielded a near-full-strength team at Craven Cottage, with Cabaye and Taylor the most significant absentees.

And until they return – or a new player arrives in next month’s transfer window – Pardew will have to go with what he’s got, with Manchester City next up on Saturday.

Asked if anyone would be fit for the visit of the Premier League champions, Pardew told the Gazette: “I don’t think so.

“I think that’s the group between now and mid-January, when maybe Steven and Cabaye will come back to us. Until such time, that is the team.”

Cabaye has undergone two groin operations, while Taylor has been sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Pardew, meanwhile, welcomed back a clutch of players, including Hatem Ben Arfa, from injury at Craven Cottage.

Newcastle, and especially Ben Arfa, had their moments, though Pardew’s side were ultimately undone by an uncharacteristic defensive error from captain Fabricio Coloccini.

Ben Arfa cancelled out Steve Sidwell’s first-half opener after the break, but Hugo Rodallega beat Coloccini to a Damien Duff free-kick to score the winner.

“I thought it looked a good team,” added Pardew. “We were just a bit unfortunate not to get anything from the game.”

 

Please don't rush them Pards....

 

Exactly.

It may well disguise the fact we are short and become an excuse for not bringing anyone in in January. I can see us winning a couple of games on the bounce and Pardew saying we have enough to get where we want to be with the squad we have blah blah blah

 

I hope that isn't him saying, "there isn't much money for me"

I look forward to having both back though. Just no rush forward. I know many didn't like it but I thought Benni was a good substitution against Fulham. You have to take your time. Particularly with groins and hammys.

 

When I realised he wasn't match fit I understood it. It was just a shame because he was having a very good game and was our main threat. better that he's in shape for Saturday though

 

from the middle of next month to early Februrary is only 2 weeks
in which we play Norwich, Villa away and Reading at home,
so why rush them back
suppose Pardew is clinging to any positive news
or does he mean by getting these 2 back is like 2 new signings ???

 

More than that, best he didn't limp out after 88mins having won us the game but now missing for 3 months I accept Pardew isn't everyones favourite even if I think its fickle, but slaughtering him for doing the right thing is bizarre. I was stunned people thought he'd play the full 90

 

Better to err on the side of caution rather than bring them back too soon and then have them out long term

But what a difference they'll make to the team..

 

I think my issue with the Benni substitution was not the fact that it happened but who he was substituted for.

 

I'd have brought on Marveaux but Shola has a good record from the bench to be fair, and he did quite well. He got a lot of ball to Ba. That said he did give away a few free kicks.

 

I thought we were struggling to win WITH his creative vision!