Super-surgeon on the case

So Raylor has become the latest in a long list of Newcastle players to be sent to the US for treatment by regular career-saver Richard Steadman. By now he should be considered an integral member of the club's medical team...

Knee problem

Sad news from the club last week, who confirmed that Raylor (recently back in training) has had a significant set back and suffered a further cruciate knee ligament injury which is expected to keep him out for most (if not all) of next season.

Hopefully he'll make swift and steady progress next season and we'll see him sooner than currently expected.

With one member of this squad capable of providing full-back cover out for another twelve months it does raise the question of Danny Simpson's future. With Simpson's contract due to expire in the summer and no news of him signing for anyone else, it may yet be that we consider offering him a new contract after all.

Raylor to remain

Hot on the heels of the news that both Sideshow Bob and Tim Krul have signed new deals comes confirmation that a less celebrated member of the squad has followed suit. Raylor is now under contract until 2015 when not so long ago he didn't look to have much of a future at the club.

In the past the Scouser's versatility has counted against him, meaning he's struggled to hold down a regular place in the side. This term, though, it's been to his advantage, enabling him to switch to the right side of midfield as Davide Santon's found his feet in the English football and claimed the left-back spot. In the absence of ASBO, he and Dreamboat have been responsible for most of our dead-ball situations - and it has to be said he's been more effective than QPR's bequiffed chronic tweeter, securing himself a permanent place in our affections for that free-kick winner down at the Dark Place in August.

Quotes of the day

"The most important thing is being happy with your football and I am happy here."

Heartening words from our prolific number 19. To be fair, at present we’re the fifth best team in the country and gunning for a top four finish. While he might move for more money, I expect he’s on a heavily incentivised contract which, given his goalscoring form, must have seen him pick up a fairly sizeable (and thoroughly deserved) wage this season. With Papiss Cisse alongside him, it’s no surprise to hear the player say he’s happy where he is. Long may it continue.

Further down the article though, this comment caught my eye:

"Although eyebrows were raised that what seemed a wild lunge as the Villa left-back endeavoured to block Taylor's shot went unpunished, the FA will not review the incident retrospectively as it it says it was an 'on the ball' challenge."

"On the ball challenge"? Does that make it acceptable? A challenge is either dangerous and reckless or it isn't. Does it matter if the ball is there or not? Surely the question is whether the referee saw the challenge. If he didn't, then the FA should be prepared to take action regardless of whether a challenge is "on the ball" or not.

In terms of harm to the player, Warnock's challenge was far worse than that which led to Dreamboat suffering trial by TV, when he caught Adam El-Abd of Brighton with his boot the other week. One brings a three-match ban, the other leaves our player injured and escapes censure. It’s a joke.