Newcastle lose Speed
Monday, April 21, 2003
Article summary
Newcastle United FC's Welsh international Gary Speed will miss the remainder of the season.
Article body
Hernia trouble
Speed is to have surgery this week to correct a troublesome hernia, ruling him out of the club's final three matches of the Premiership campaign. The 33-year-old has already missed Newcastle's last four games, from which the Saint James' Park team have taken one point from an available 12.
Fourth place
Newcastle, who dropped to fourth place in the table after Monday's 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa FC, are still to play Sunderland AFC and West Bromwich Albion FC away and Birmingham City FC at home. French winger Laurent Robert is also struggling to be fit for the run-in as he recovers from a knee injury.