John Carver’s run of ill-luck since succeeding Alan Pardew as Newcastle United’s head coach continued on Tuesday when Rolando Aarons broke down with a recurrence of the hamstring trouble that has plagued him for much of the season.
The gifted 19-year-old England Under-20 left-winger had been expected to make a return at home against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday but is set to miss the remainder of the season.
On a brighter note, Siem de Jong, the club’s £6m playmaking signing from Ajax last summer, is expected to feature for Newcastle’s reserves at home to Derby County on Wednesday night after recovering from the collapsed lung he suffered in January.
At the time De Jong was on the verge of making a first-team comeback following the thigh surgery he underwent in August but, depending on what happens against Derby, he may finally make his long-awaited return against Spurs.
After seeing Newcastle’s squad decimated by assorted injuries and suspensions Carver has won only two of his 14 games in charge, losing the past five, and with Newcastle in 13th place on 35 points accepts they could become embroiled in a relegation skirmish. “We’ve got six cup finals left,” said a coach whose short-term contract expires in the summer. “We’ve got four of those games at home and it’s important our fans are right behind us.”,
Those were rather pointed comments as certain Newcastle supporters groups are urging fellow fans to boycott Sunday’s match in protest at Mike Ashley’s stewardship of the club.
