Not All Players Return to Training

By Nick Raynor
July 5 2005

As most players have returned to training with Newcastle United, some will not be returning until next week.

Those players who played after last season’s final game against Chelsea have been given time off until next week.

 

The players not returning includes Shay Given, Stephen Carr, Jermaine Jenas, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Hugo Viana and Craig Bellamy.

 

Souness is keen to get his team working hard and fit again as they have a competitive match in under 2 weeks.

 

Souness’ head is on the chopping block and failure to qualify for the UEFA Cup through the inter-toto will surely result in chop souey.

 

Souness said:

 

"We are back to work today, although we're not going to have the full squad in as we felt we had to give some of the players a bit more time off to rest up as some have been playing for their countries over the summer.

 

“Obviously we are going to have to push them on pretty quickly, but we also have to make sure we don't push them too far.

 

"At this time of year players don't always enjoy training as it involves lots of running, but there's no easy way around it.

 

“There's no pill you can take to get over that, it's just basic hard work.

 

"It's all about getting the players up to speed in the time we have."

Bookmark or share this story with: