One of the most disappointing moments of this particularly disappointing season so far has been the injury to Siem De Jong - the key signing who was supposed to be the centre-piece for Alan Pardew's tactical model. Alongside Cabella, De Jong was supposed to be the goal threat and provider to help link midfield up with attack, and his crucial injury robbed the team of a key cog. Sadly, Alan Pardew chose mostly to ignore that he needed to change his system as a result of that injury, and Newcastle laboured on, unable to turn possession into goals. The good news - aside from Pardew occasionally changing his system from the sterile lone striker approach - is that the Dutchman is now on track to return before the end of the year. He took to his official Facebook page to confirm that his return will be complete in "a couple of months". The 25-year-old has been out since September injured, and was expected to be out until after Christmas, but it looks like he might get back before the end of the year:
"I can slowly start building up strength again and start walking without crutches. Still a couple of months to go but I'm going to work hard and I'm sure I will get back stronger!"
According to his Facebook page, the number 10 has spent some of his free time answer fan-mail: De Jong's return would be a significant boost to the floundering club, but whether Alan Pardew remains at the club when he does recover fully remains to be seen.
