While Michael Owen continues to remain free of injuries, Newcastle give thanks for small mercies, with two of their other key forwards on the sidelines. While Obafemi Martins will be back at some stage as he recovers from a knee injury, the same cannot be said with confidence about Mark Viduka, with the Australian continuing to battle against an Achilles injury that just won’t go away.
The Daily Mail reports that Viduka might have played his last game for Newcastle United, with the striker currently seeing a specialist in the hope that he might yet return to St James’ Park and continue his footballing career. However, the signs don’t look good at the moment.
Mark Viduka is battling to save his career after failing to shake off an Achilles injury that has troubled him since the end of last season.
The Newcastle striker, who turns 33 on Thursday, is seeing a specialist in his native Australia. He has been targeted by the Melbourne Heart franchise to spearhead a new team in his home city in 2010 and is eager to finish his playing days in Australia.
But fears are growing that Viduka, whose contract runs out next summer, may lose his latest fitness fight after Newcastle originally believed rest might provide a cure.
Viduka managed 19 league starts for Newcastle last season, although he hasn’t featured at all this campaign and has been injury-prone throughout his entire career. Celtic, Leeds and Middlesbrough fans will remember the Aussie striker fondly, with the forward scoring plenty of goals for every club which he’s played for. It appears as though he might have kicked his last ball in professional football.
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