Newcastle United Tuesday Morning Links: Short and Sweet

Good morning, fellow sons and daughters of the Toon. It is Tuesday, and we have no center backs, so .. well... not much has changed in a day. With the injury situation looking as it does, it looks like this December stretch is going to be even more critical than what we may have imagined before the season. 4 of the next 5 opponents are the type that most supporters will expect that we will take good points from, and if we do it will make the second half of the season considerably less stressful. At any rate, it's a short link day, so check it out!

Pardew to stress the need for defensive reinforcements (From The Northern Echo)

He cannot recall James Tavernier from his loan at Sheffield Wednesday until the youngster has spent 28 days at Hillsborough, and while Tamas Kadar is available, the Hungarian had fallen completely out of favour prior to this weekend's developments. As a result, James Perch and Davide Santon are set to form a completely untried defensive partnership on Saturday, with Newcastle unlikely to name another defender on the bench.

Yeah... to say that the defensive situation is at critical level would be an understatement. Whatever Pardew's issue with Kadar is, it might behoove the two of them to get it sorted, if only enough that Kadar can make the bench.

Injuries bare the bones of Newcastle United squad - NUFC News - NUFC - JournalLive

Injuries injuries injuries

Mike Williamson can't wait for Magpies return - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive

Williamson is thought to be around 10 days away from being ready to play again, but boss Alan Pardew revealed in the Chronicle yesterday that he could be fast-tracked in order to resolve his centre-back crisis. The United medical staff are currently working around the clock to get Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini – expected to miss a fortnight with a thigh injury – fit again.

So they're looking at Captain Colo is out for a couple weeks... two matches without Colo or Saylor... not exactly how I wanted to spend my December.

Focus on Steven Taylor's return from injuries - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive

This is an interesting look at the injuries throughout Saylor's career. There have been a lot more than I thought, but I don't think that you can really call him injury prone. Dude is tough.

Shola Ameobi issues Norwich trip rallying call - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive

"It will be tough for us – but this fight and desire that people talk about has to come to the fore again. "Whoever steps in has to bring everything they’ve got, but I am sure we will be all right. "We just have to stay together as a team. You will lose games, that’s a given – it is how we come back and how we respond."

Shola gets the honor of delivering the canned quote ahead of the Norwich match. I don't have the gumption to check, but I would think that this very same quote has appeared in print for 5 or 6 matches in a row at least... just the names that change.

So that's the links for today... I have decided to rest the transfer rumor links for at least a week or so... mostly because yesterday's Tiote-to-Liverpool-for-#9-loan and today's Krul-to-Chelsea stories a) don't make much sense and b) are irritating me. So there. Enjoy your Tuesday, and Howa