Dot cock says that Carl Cort underwent a minor operation yesterday for which the normal rehabilitation period is eight weeks. The operation was carried out by Dr. Richard Steadman in Colorado. So that's him out for another season. He makes Big Dunc look like a fitness freak.

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

Answers

Well if rehab period is only 8 weeks then he should be back training by end of February. We could get a good 2-3 months out of him.

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

Lynda, you don't really believe that, now do you? I think if we get him back for the last 4-5 games we'll be very lucky. Always assuming that the physio's don't get to him first. In which case, don't hold your breath.

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

I have to TRY and believe it though or otherwise I would get very depressed about Cort's injury situation! At least he hasn't had a major op. A minor op sounds much better!

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

Lynda. How many more times ? Snap out of it.

Cort will surprise the world with his powers of recovery.

Oh, and by the way, there is no London jinx. :-))

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

I'm in quite a jovial frame of mind at the moment Bill actually. I had a great time at the reserves last night and I really don't think the Cort situation sounds too bad.

If we could sign a new player, now that would make a lovely Christmas! (9 points would also be welcome!)

I told you I was an all or nothing kind of person - well today I am mostly feeling optimistic!

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

Amputation? Well, it's all relative and that's a lot more minor than a labotomy (which before any bu99er comments, I have not had).

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

:o{I

How many "minor operations" do you know that take 8 weeks to recover from? Precisely!

More double-speke from NUFC methinks.

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

Sports.com is reporting that Carl Cort may need further and more extensive surgery if the recent 'minor' operation does not prove successful. They say:

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson has disclosed that striker Carl Cort is likely to face major surgery if he fails to recover from knee trouble inside the next two months.

The £7m striker has been given a rest and exercise regime to follow by top American specialist Richard Steadman in a bid to get to the root of the problem that has dogged him since September.

And Newcastle are desperately hoping that the programme works - because the alternative involves an operation that could sideline Cort for up to a year.

Robson revealed: "If it hasn't worked in two months then we face the prospect of a last-resort operation for Carl. But we are not considering that. He has two months to prove that he doesn't need surgery - something that would put him out for eight months or possibly even a year. But this is the better option. The specialist thinks it's recoverable and he's the best in the world."

Cort has had minor surgery to clear up scar tissue around the knee, and it's understood there is no damage to his cartilage. But the problem is behind the knee. And even though the verdict is much healthier than Newcastle expected, they still face an anxious wait to discover whether the striker makes a full recovery.

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2001