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Simmo; 'It's A Squad Game'
Written by Newcastle Utd
Danny Simpson believes the likes of Vurnon Anita and James Tavernier are well-equipped to fill in for him at right-back
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Danny Simpson has full faith in his United teammates to fill the right-back void while he is sidelined by a hamstring injury.
The defender was forced to hobble off during last weekend's draw with Aston Villa, and will be on the treatment table for the next few weeks.
In his absence against Villa, summer signing Vurnon Anita stepped into the full-back berth from his natural central midfield role, and caught the eye with a confident display.
Youngster James Tavernier is also knocking on manager Alan Pardew's door, having featured during pre-season and in the Magpies' Europa League qualifiers.
And Simpson told nufc.co.uk that whoever is given the nod against Everton a week on Monday will excel.
"That's the whole point of having a squad - you can't have the same 11 playing every game of the season," he explained.
"The gaffer has said that is why he strengthened the squad over the summer.
"It may be young Tav, who has been around the first team for a while now and has shown in pre-season what he can do.
"Sometimes you need a chance like this to step in and try to do a good job.
"Or it could be Vurnon, who has been playing centre-midfield but can do a job at right-back and left-back as well.
"He's come in and slotted in straight away wherever he has played.
"With all the games we've got coming up, with the Europa League on top of everything else, it's good that we've got players who are quite versatile."
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