Newcastle defenders Dummet and Willems out for season

[krully]

More injury woe for Newcastle, with Steve Bruce confirming Jetro Willems and Paul Dummett will miss the rest of the season.

Willems was carried off on a stretcher in the opening stages of Saturday's win against Chelsea with what now has been confirmed as an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

“It’s what we feared. He’s (Willems) ruptured his ACL and will miss, obviously, the rest of the season," said Bruce. "He’s been a very decent player for us and we’ll miss him. We wish him a speedy recovery.

"We’ve had bad news on Paul Dummett too. It looks as if he’ll be out for the rest of the season with a tendon injury in his leg so it’s been a bad weekend in that respect. We wish him well.”

It never rains but it pours.

two very big blows for us.

[bodacious benny]

At least we’re well covered at CB and Ritchie has returned at the right time. Might force Ashley to make some moves in the window but won’t hold my breath.

[lassassinblanc]

Ritchie can cover for the time being but definitely need someone to come in now be it only on loan

[omegaprimevkm]

And it sounds like the team are focusing on CM signings in the wake of inadequate cover for defensive and attacking positions.

I mean, we still f***ing have Saivet on the books - do they learn nothing?

[lassassinblanc]

Forgot to mention we also have an option to recall Lazaar

[bodacious benny]

Forgot to mention we also have an option to recall Lazaar

I’d rather play Willems with his ruptured ACL

[Colly]

Poor Laser.

[ALF]

Lazaar might just be the worst signing we've ever made.

[TJR]

Frees up two places in the 25 man squad so we can get two more new signings in without selling anyone.

[UlversToon]

Frees up two places in the 25 man squad so we can get two more new signings in without selling anyone.

Not sure Ashley will see it that way!

[Colly]

Frees up two places in the 25 man squad so we can get two more new signings in without selling anyone.

Not sure Ashley will see it that way!

Left back cover and midfield depth you say?

<colback>

[Valentino's fast feet]

Not sure Ashley will see it that way!

Left back cover and midfield depth you say?

<colback>

Also injured

[UlversToon]

Left back cover and midfield depth you say?

<colback>

Also injured

Beat me to it!

[Colly]

[Tsi]

Leighton Baines can't get a game at Everton

[ALF]

I'd take Baines on loan until the end of the season

[Remember Colo]

I can't believe Baines is still at Everton. I was surprised he never left them when at his peak, and I can't believe they still want him now that he's on the other side of his career. Feels like he's been around forever. He might not even be that old, I have no idea anymore what his age is.

[Tsi]

I can't believe Baines is still at Everton. I was surprised he never left them when at his peak, and I can't believe they still want him now that he's on the other side of his career. Feels like he's been around forever. He might not even be that old, I have no idea anymore what his age is.

He's 35

[Remember Colo]

I can't believe Baines is still at Everton. I was surprised he never left them when at his peak, and I can't believe they still want him now that he's on the other side of his career. Feels like he's been around forever. He might not even be that old, I have no idea anymore what his age is.

He's 35

Now that I'm in my early-mid 30s, I find it harder to guess or keep track of player ages. It's so weird to be older than almost everyone playing.

[bodacious benny]

He's 35

Now that I'm in my early-mid 30s, I find it harder to guess or keep track of player ages. It's so weird to be older than almost everyone playing.

Yeah i find that. I'm 34 and look at players in their mid to late 20s and think they look older than me