Luq who's back for Toon
Nov 1 2006
By Alan Oliver, The Evening Chronicle
Albert Luque will be given his third start of the season when Newcastle United go in against Palermo in tomorrow night's UEFA Cup tie in Sicily.
And with Glenn Roeder having to decide whether Steve Harper, who continues to struggle with a groin injury, can play two games in three days, 19-year-old rookie keeper Tim Krul has again gone on standby.
And the youngster has a very good chance in making his United debut in what will be a hostile atmosphere in the picturesque Italian island.
Roeder has several other injures to sort out, as joining Michael Owen, Kieron Dyer, Shola Ameobi, Oba Martins and Shay Given will be skipper Scott Parker, who picked up a knock on his knee against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
And as a result, when United jetted out of Newcastle airport for their 114th European tie, youngsters Paul Huntington, Aussie striker James Troisi and Andy Carroll, who scored the goal in Monday night's reserve victory over Blackburn Rovers at Kingston Park, were in the squad - and they all have a chance of being of being on the bench tomorrow night.
Parker, Damien Duff, Stephen Carr and Celestine Babayaro didn't fly out with the squad this morning, as they rested knocks ahead of United's busy schedule.
Roeder has been forced to turn to the 28-year-old Luque because Owen, Ameobi and Martins are all injured and Sir Alex Ferguson has stopped his Manchester United striker Seppe Rossi from being cup-tied in Europe before he returns to Old Trafford at the end of next month.
Luque actually played and scored in United's first game of the season against Lillestrom in the InterToto Cup, and also in the goalless draw with Ventspils in the UEFA Cup, both at St James' Park.
He has yet to start a Premiership match after being substitute in the opener with Wigan Athletic and then at Aston Villa, and Roeder has challenged him to put himself in the frame for Saturday's crucial game with Sheffield United at St James' Park.
Before boarding United's private jet for Palermo, Roeder told me today: "Albert Luque will start tomorrow night and it is a big opportunity for him - the ball is very much in his court.
"This is the opportunity for him to show what he can do on a fairly big European stage and the chance to prove that he really wants to play for Newcastle United."
In addition to Luque, both Emre and Antoine Sibierski were back in the squad after their respective back and foot injuries and both are expected to play some part tomorrow night.
On Parker's absence Roeder said: "Everybody saw Scott pick up a bad bang on his knee against Charlton and, while tomorrow will come too early for him, we are anticipating that he will be OK to play against Sheffield United on Saturday."
When United arrive in Palermo they will find it's a public holiday in Italy and are hoping this does not affect their plans to train in the Renzo Barbera Stadium, the scene of tomorrow night's tie.
盧基今晚正選
