1. You were substituted against Ipswich. Was it your injury?

Yes, it was the tear above my buttock that was the problem. I played because I wanted to, but after twenty minutes, it was really starting to hurt. I made it to half time and the coach asked me to play a little while longer. I started the second half but I was in too much pain, particularly as it is my left side that's injured.

2. Did you make matters worse by playing?

I hope not. Yesterday, I could hardly walk but I feel a bit better today. I'm having another MRI to see if we can get more information. One thing is for sure, I won't be playing against Chelsea on Wednesday. The lads are leaving tomorrow but I'll be staying here. The thing about muscle tears is that there are no miracle cures, and it's just a case of resting. I'll take a few days' rest and see if I can get back to training.

3. If you aren't better, you'll miss the Premiership match against Blackburn?

Yes, I'm not taking any risks.

4.How did the Ipswich match go?

Really well. We could have put the match beyond doubt if we'd taken our chances but that doesn't really matter as we took all three points. We are good away from home, which is why I'm optimistic about the game against Chelsea on Wednesday.

5. How did the game go for you personally?

Ok to start with, but it's true that after a while I had trouble accelerating and striking with my injury.

6. You are well-placed in the PL but December is a very important month for you.

Yes, it's all to play for. A lot of the games are away from home soi if we can get 3 or 4 points there and win our home game to Blackburn , we'll be doing OK.

7. So at the end of December, you'll know whether Newcastle can get into the Champion's League?

No, not at all. The Championship is long and it's very open with Man Utd slipping up so there really is everything to play for.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

Answers

You left to l.heure play yesterday at the time of your victory in Ipswich 1 to 0. You are again wounded? C.est my tear with the top of the buttock which makes me suffer. Played J.ai because j.en wanted but at the end of 20 minutes, j.ai started to have very badly. J.ai successful to hold the first half and in the cloakrooms, the coach m.a known as qu.il wished that I remain still a little on the ground. J.ai thus tackled the second half-time and with the end d.un quarter d.heure, I left. J.avais very badly, especially which I am wounded on the left side. But you worsened your wound while playing? I n.espère not. Yesterday, j.avais really evil to be gone. Ca has gone better for this morning but I will pass by again a IRM to know some more. A thing is sure, I am not Wednesday displacement for the quarterfinal of the cut of the League vis-a-vis in Chelsea. The guy leave tomorrow and I will remain in Newcastle. To look after a tear, it n.y does not have wonder products. It is simply necessary to rest. I am thus at rest during four days and one will see whether I can start again with m.entraîner. If you always feel something, it will also be necessary to make l.impasse on the match of championship of Saturday vis-a-vis in Blackburn Rovers. Completely, I do not wish to take risks. There is charged enough calendar and I do not want louper these matches. J.ai however desire for playing but with this wound, I can really nothing make. How does s.est unrolled the match counter in Ipswich? Very well. One could have put oneself at l.abri more quickly if one had known to concretize our many occasions but this n.est not engraves, one made the main thing. One held well the score and one sets out again with the three points. In any case, one is to l.exterior really well. C.est for that that I think qu.on has our chances Wednesday in Chelsea. And for you? As well offensively as defensively, I find that that s.est very quite last. On the goal of Solano, l.occasion starts from me. After, c.est true that j.avais evil to be accelerated and to strike with my wound. You remain in the 4th place of the general classification at 5 points of Liverpool. With Leeds, Arsenal and Chelsea whom you must meet in the weeks to come, very significant s.annonce December. Yes, that will be very charged. As all these matches is held with l.exterior, would have to be brought back three, four points. If one gains this weekend in residence vis-a-vis in Blackburn, one will have filled our contract. Therefore at the end of December, one will know if Newcastle has the means to play the title or a place in League of the Champions. Not, the championship is still long. Moreover, it is seen how occurs the championship this year. Manchester does not dominate any more, the teams are rather close from/to each other and it can occur much from things. C.est a very open championship and any remainder to be made. Hello.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

A torn buttock? Put his @rse in a sling and send him back out there! ;-)

Seriously though, he knows a muscle tear doesn't heal overnight, the club knows a muscle tear doesn't heal overnight so what happens...he's played until he can barely walk. Am I the only one who sees something wrong with this picture? :-(

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

BR has questioned Roberrrrrrrs booking in an article found here Doesn't mention his injury that Robert has been talking about for ages but never done anything about.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

Well, he's been for one MRI and Newcastle sent him home to Montpellier rather than monitoring him here so the club basically has itself to thank for this. I note he's staying in Toon after the next MRI which is maybe a sign of progress.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001