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As reported elsewhere, Ashley Cole is expected to play through the possible pain of a groin injury. But Freddie Ljungberg is not likely to start. Wenger has said that he might play against
Man Utd next weekend but at Newcastle the most he'll get is a spot on the bench. The only other injury absentee is long-term injury victim Rami Shaaban.
New signing Willy Warmuz could get his first bench-warming place, although Stuart Taylor has a case too.
Newcastle have a few players back. Gary Speed is fit again after a hernia op, Clarence Acuna has returned from compassionate leave, and Aaron Hughes and Steve Caldwell have recovered from the flu.
Hugo Viana has been (and is still) out of action since dislocating a shoulder back in December. Second choice keeper Steve Harper is suspended
and Griffin is out too.
New signing Jonathan Woodgate is suffering from a thigh strain and
will have to wait for his debut.
Bobby Robson has been talking about how much he regrets the fact that Porto wouldn't let him join Arsenal in 1995. But he's quick to recover by adding that he wouldn't have changed his time at Barca and Newcastle for anything. See Mirror.
Rupe adds...
Seems like Freddie won't even be on the bench. He's been left out of the squad following a "slight reaction" to his Achilles injury, following his reserve comeback game during the week. But he could still be available for the FA Cup game next weekend.
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