Newcatle hit with another injury blow

Mehdi Abeid is facing up to three weeks on the sidelines.

The midfielder suffered a thigh injury last week, and his absence has left head coach John Carver with another headache ahead of Sunday’s visit to Goodison Park.

And it could mean a recall for Vurnon Anita against Everton.

Carver said: “Mehdi Abeid is out with a thigh injury – that’s two to three weeks.”

Algeria international Abeid – who missed out on a place in his country’s African Cup of Nations squad earlier this season because of a broken toe – had started Newcastle’s last two games.

And it was a mistake from Abeid which led to Manchester United’s 90th minute winner at St James’s Park last week.

“It’s another headache, and it’s unexpected,” said Carver.

“It’s at a time where he saw this as an opportunity to get back in the team.

“After he broke his toe after the international break – he did it on international duty – he must have seen it as an opportunity.

“It’s a blow – another blow – but you’ve got to get on with it.”

Carver will also be without defender Massadio Haidara for the Everton game, though midfielder Remy Cabella and goalkeeper Rob Elliot are back in the squad.

Hadiara missed the Man United match with a knee problem.

Carver said: “Haidara had an injection in his knee.

“It’s not settled down yet, so he’s not going to be available, but the good news we’ve got Remy Cabella back.

“He’s in the squad after a full week of training. Robbie’s been out for a number of weeks with a thigh strain, so he’s back.”

Carver liked the club’s training ground to “Emergency – Ward 10” in his pre-match Press conference.

“I don’t like sitting here making excuses, but it’s like ‘Emergency – Ward 10’ at the training ground at the moment,” he said.

“I’ve never seen so many players on crutches. Cheik Tiote came in for the first time since his surgery,and all I could hear was the crutches coming down the corridor.

“We’ve got a tough run of games, and we’ve just got to deal with it. We’re not down to the bare bones, but we’re down to a small number of players.”