Newcastle United's woes continue to mount after interim head coach John Carver revealed that Siem de Jong has had a thigh scan ahead of the West Bromwich Albion clash. Carver's beleaguered side have lost eight consecutive Premier League matches for the first time in the club's history and they sit just two points and three places above the relegation zone heading into the crunch game with the Baggies. De Jong was expected to be elevated into the starting line-up for the visit of Tony Pulis' men after the 26-year-old came on for the final 33 minutes of the 3-0 defeat at Leicester City, but Carver has revealed that the attacking-midfielder is a doubt. Paul Dummett is also doubtful as the club await the results of a scan on his hamstring, with the Magpies desperately depleted in defence following the suspensions handed out to Mike Williamson and Daryl Janmaat for their red cards against Leicester. Captain Fabricio Coloccini could be the only available senior defender in the Magpies squad. However, Rolando Aarons played 45 minutes for the Under-21 side on Tuesday and Papiss Cisse returned to training on Thursday, so both players could be involved off the bench on Saturday. Newcastle have scored just 11 goals in their last 16 games - so the presence of Aarons, Cisse and also De Jong in the squad would be a boost. Carver, speaking at his pre-game press conference on Thursday, explained:
"De Jong has an issue with his thigh and he's had a scan. "We are waiting to find out on Paul Dummett, who will do some work this afternoon. We are waiting for the results of a scan. "Papiss (Cisse) trained with us for the first time today and it's great to have him back with us. It gives everyone a lift."
Midfielder De Jong has made just five appearances for the Magpies since signing from Ajax for £6 million last summer but he came off the bench to score in the 3-2 loss to Swansea City two weeks ago, having returned after seven months out with injury. The six-cap Dutch international was supposed to form part of the spine of the Newcastle side this term but he has managed just 149 minutes of Premier League action in all - and who knows where the Magpies may have been had they had their midfielder out on the park every week. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
