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Boss Bemoans Injury List
Written by Newcastle Utd
Growing injury list leaves manager Alan Pardew counting the cost of a heavy festive schedule
By Anthony Marshall
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew admits he "cannot afford to lose another player" as the club's injury list continues to grow.
Steven Taylor was replaced at half-time of Wednesday's victory over West Ham, having picked up a hamstring injury, Cheik Tiote also has a hamstring problem, while hat-trick hero Leon Best hobbled off with a heel complaint.
The Magpies are boosted by news that Best is likely to fit to face Stevenage in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, but centre-back Taylor is definitely ruled out.
And he joins strikers Andy Carroll (hamstring) and Shola Ameobi (ankle), full-back Ryan Taylor (ankle) and defender Sol Campbell (leg) on the sidelines.
That has left Pardew counting the cost of a hectic festive schedule, ahead of their cup clash with the League Two side.
"Most of our midfield and defenders are going to be ok, with Steven Taylor probably being the biggest doubt," said the boss, who could have Alan Smith in contention following a knee injury.
"It is the strikers that is the worry, because obviously we have lost Shola (Ameobi) and Andy (Carroll).
"We cannot afford to lose another player.
"I'm worried about this game - not just for the result, but also the safety of my players.
"This is the end of a cycle of games where it is our fifth in 14 days or something like that, and yet later in the programme it opens up a little bit and you've got lots of rest."