Jose back for Villa game.

toonsy

Jose set to play.
Jose Enrique will return to the NUFC starting line up for the trip to Aston Villa at weekend, it has been revealed.

Jose hasn’t been right since the 2-1 home defeat to Everton and withdrew from that game with his hamstring injury. He made the starting line up for the next game at Stoke but only managed to last about 20 minutes before coming off injured. He was left out of the victory against Wolves, but fortunately he has resumed training and looks fine for the match against Aston Villa.

“Jose trained yesterday, and I don’t think he’ll be a problem for Villa.”

That is the view of Alan Pardew who I’m assuming will know more about Jose Enrique than we do. Hopefully he doesn’t break down again and can stay fit from now until the end of the season. We are struggling for bodies so Jose’s return will be a welcome boost and will give Alan Pardew some options with regard to team selection.

Speaking of returns, Hatem Ben Arfa has been pencilled in to return against Liverpool at the start of May. He will likely be on the bench and will probably only get a few minutes on the pitch, but it would represent a significant step in the recovery of the Frenchman, if he comes through it unscathed of course.

“I don’t think Hatem will be involved for a while, and Liverpool will possibly be his first inclusion in my thinking,” said Pardew.

“He’s eager to join in, but we’ve got to be a little bit cautious with him. At some point, he’ll join in full training, and we’ll take it from there.”

So two decent bits of injury news then. Obviously it’s going to take a while for Benny to get back to full fitness, but as long as we see him back to his best in the long term then I’m not really bothered about how much of an impact he makes this season. An appaearance at St James’ Park before the season is out would be nice though, both for the fans and the player.

Jose’s return gives Alan Pardew the chance to shuffle the pack a little if he wants to, although I doubt we will see any radical changes after the Stoke debacle. The option that I’m thinking of would be to put Jonas on the right, move Barton on the middle and play young Shane Ferguson on the left wing. Nothing too radical, but a change all the same.

Thoughts?

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

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58 thoughts on “Jose back for Villa game.”

  2. Good news there indeed after an interesting article from Barton!

    I’m not sure I would risk HBA until the last couple of games and Liverpool may be too soon.

    Toonsy, I wouldn’t play around with the team too much to accommodate Ferguson,your not going to like this but I would go with a midfield of (L-R)

    Jonas Guthrie Barton Raylor (!)

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  3. 100% with your suggestion that Jose’s return gives Alan Pardew the chance to shuffle the pack a little if he wants to, The option that of putting Jonas on the right, move Barton on the middle and play young Shane Ferguson on the left wing. Nothing too radical, but a change all the same.

    Aye but Toonsy, don”t forget Jonas’ debut against Man U…. he played on the right and skinned em. They din’t know which way to turn, schitt or wind their watches!

    Nothing ventured and of course, the Barry/ Barton match should prove interesting. I reckon Joey B’ll have a blinder too!

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  4. Great news all round, and with Nolan contract as well :mrgreen:

    Agree with pearceet’s midfield.

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  11. yeah Army they’re both back for Manure, think the line-up for that will be

    barton-tiote-ireland-jonas

    strong midfield like! I think for Villa Pards simply has to play the midfield you suggested Toonsy, have said for a few days now that if Enrique is fit put Fergie on the left wing and move Jonas right. The only problem there though is if it’s not working it can’t be easily changed- the only viable sub would be Raylor and then we’d be stuck with 3 wingers. As such I think Fergie will be on the bench with Raylor starting wide right and Jonas on the left. Fergie as a 60 min sub to ruffle a few feathers… Saying that I actually quite like the sound of Ranger and Fergie coming on as 60min subs… not bad I reckon?

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  12. i cant wait 2 watch the match sunday , 3 pts will mean staying up imo , plus if villa lose they go closer 2 going down haha mint

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  15. Would love to see Fergie get a chance on the left at Villa, but I don’t see Pardew going for it. I’d predict (NOT want!):

    Jonas – Guthrie – Barton – Raylor

    Which is a shame.

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  17. Here’s me line-up for Vile Park:

    Lover, Strolla
    Fergie, Gootrie, Captain Convict, Spidey
    El Torro, Collo, Willo, Simmo
    Harps

    Beat that! 😉

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  19. guardian_sport
    PA reporting a #Sunderland fan is suing the club after being hit by a stray Djibril Cisse shot while watching training.

    Jesus they’ll do anything for a bit of money 🙄

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  21. icedog
    Posted April 7, 2011 at 2:21 PM
    ARMY hows the mrs and baby mate?

    shes mint mate , out of hosp and the laddy is still inside so mint , jut hope he stays in a bit longer , shes 29 weeks now , another month would be alot better, thanks 4 askin pal

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  22. Dan – Exactly. Which is why when I win the lottery I’m going to tour Sunderland and get them to fight each other to the death for a £5 prize 😈

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  24. ED harping on about the break in at SJP. Gives all the details and the Police statement (the same one that was in the local papers by the way 😉 ) but he doesn’t bother putting the CCTV image up? Sense? Little?

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  27. come on Toonsy cut him some slack, he’s clearly a bit senile. I think the blog is all he’s got in his old age, he doesn’t seem to spend much time with the Mrs… apart from their annual tour of Europe!

    Oi Batty, got any tips for the National mate? 😉

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  28. Great with Jose on the return for villa, now personally i think and would like Fergusen to play LM for that game instead of Raylor!! 😀

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  29. David, I reckon Ferguson will come on for the last 20 to place Raylor and with hopefully there tired legs Ferguson will be able to take advantage!

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  30. I wouldn’t count on Raylor making any legs tired. Raylor against Albrighton, Downing, or Young 😕 😕 😕

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  31. Am sure they play Clark left back who isn’t the quickest or most mobile so him and Raylor will be in the same boat at least 😆

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  32. Pig sick of decorating the kitchen so grabbed the bairns FIFA 11 where I proceed to beat Blackburn 6-0. So steped up to semi pro dominated the next two games possession shots for (double figures on target in both games) and everything loss both 1-0 how’s that work thought it be less annoying

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  33. Waldo – Divven’t mention FIFA on here man. You’ll be getting challenges from Jobey 😆

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  36. 😆

    When Jobey beat Andrew everything was fine but after I was 3-0 up after half an hour his ‘connection’ went off… Funny that 😉

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  37. Is he about 11 I might play him then if not he can ask all he likes as I want to hoy the controller out the window as it is. 😥 Gutted about Sunday I’ll have to watch the game sober as start a new job in London Monday morning and is all drug and alcohol testing. 😯 So the weekend starts in about an hour. Lash lash lash

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  41. A good matchday Sunday normally consists of at least a gallon of the TD’s finest Becks Vier, if wor lass is out would include some sambuca chasers pizza and kebab for home time. 12 nights away in London 2 off so pass me a corona or to please Vic.

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  45. Batty – Nowt to moan about. Survival looks ok so he has nothing to criticse which is why he hasn’t been on I bet 🙂

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  46. Just feels like some of our fans were willing us to go down just so they can say they were right about lack of investment etc…..

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  47. nee investment in the toon,so good old k.brady says anyway,no good trying to win when a woman is on the job 😀

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  52. think she might be,likes these “fit” footy players like,can you take the pace that the thing 😯

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  53. I’ll give it a try 😆

    Hope Villa tickets are still on sale tomorrow. Haven’t got mine yet cos I’m skint 😥

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  55. ive not botherd to read though it but the midfield should be

    Raylor Barton Guthrie Jonas

    then bring fergie on at somepoint

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