Anxious Robert wait


Set for a back scan

By Matthew Jones
August 5 2002

Laurent Robert faces a scan on Monday to determine whether he has broken a bone in his back which would keep him sidelined until Christmas. Laurent Robert faces a scan on Monday to determine whether he has broken a bone in his back which would keep him sidelined until Christmas.

The shock prospect of Newcastle being without their star French winger for so long has emerged after an initial scan of his back showed severely damaged vertebrae.

Today's second scan will discover whether the problem afflicting the Frenchman is a broken bone - and Newcastle officials fear the worst.

Robert has been suffering from severe back pain in recent weeks but it was thought to have been caused by the hip muscle injury which dogged him throughout last season.

The possibility of losing his most creative player for four months is a nightmare for manager Sir Bobby Robson.

Although Portuguese new-boy Hugo Viana could fill in for Robert on the left flank, the 19-year-old has made it plain he much prefers a central midfield role.

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