Newcastle vs Queens Park Rangers preview - Key men missing for Magpies
Posted Saturday, November 22, 2014 by PA
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will be forced to do without key men for QPR's Barclays Premier League visit to St James' Park with injuries once again taking their toll.
Skipper Fabricio Coloccini (calf) is likely to be joined on the sidelines by fellow central defender Steven Taylor (knee), while midfielder Mehdi Abeid will sit out because of a broken toe with the man he has replaced so effectively in recent weeks, Cheick Tiote, still missing with a calf problem.
Left-back Paul Dummett will line up the in the middle once again alongside the fit-again Mike Williamson, and his manager will have no qualms about him doing so.
Alan Pardew said: "He's been a player that the fans were slow to respond to. For us, we've always felt he had a massive chance because of his defensive abilities. They've really come to the fore in this run, either at left-back or centre-back.
"He's got a tough job on Saturday. He will play centre-back and will be up against two strikers really on their game. This will be a big test for him.
"But I'm not going to lose any sleep over it, I'm confident he can deal with it, and I couldn't pay him a higher tribute than that."
Rangers boss Harry Redknapp turned down the chance to become Newcastle manager in 2008, opting instead to remain at Portsmouth, where he won the FA Cup later that year.
"I was offered the job but I just couldn't get my Geordie accent right," Redknapp joked.
"No I don't regret anything, I don't look back, I look forward and move on.
"I went to Spurs and had four fantastic years and I don't regret staying at Pompey where I had a great time.
"And I don't regret being here, I have loved it here. I'm very lucky to keep going."
Rio Ferdinand is serving a three-match ban while Alejandro Faurlin is a long-term absentee with a cruciate ligament injury.
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