'I'm fit and raring to go' - Jose Enrique
JOSE Enrique is ready to rejoin Newcastle United's promotion battle.
The defender made an abortive comeback from a spell on the sidelines with hamstring problems in the club's last home game.
But Enrique, an unused substitute in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough, will return to the fray for the Championship leaders against Scunthorpe United at St James's Park tomorrow night.
And that will come as a huge relief to boss Chris Hughton, such has been the 24-year-old's form this season.
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Hughton, while naming Enrique on the bench at the Riverside Stadium, wasn't willing to risk him unless absolutely necesary, but he is set for a start against Scunthorpe.
"I'm OK, and I want to play all the games now," Enrique told the Gazette. "The most important thing is we get back to the Premier League.
"I travelled to Middlesbrough, but the manager put Danny Simpson and Ryan Taylor in there (at full-back) – I think he wanted to protect me.
"It's the manager's decision, but I need to play games, and I think I'm ready to play games."
The sight of Enrique limping off 33 minutes into the game against Barnsley earlier this month gave Hughton, and United's fans, a scare, but the left-back insisted it was nothing more than a minor set-back after a five-week spell out.
"When I came off against Barnsley, I was angry more than worried, because I just wanted to play," added Enrique. "For five weeks, I didn't play any games.
"It was just tight – we didn't even have a scan. I think I'm ready now."
The original injury was suffered against Crystal Palace in January, Enrique coming off early in the game.
Enrique went on: "I said to the physios I didn't know what's happened (against Palace). I didn't know why I didn't feel well.
"I remember in my first year I had a problem with my hamstring, but after three weeks, I played all the games. I had five weeks out, but now I'm OK."
Andy Carroll salvaged a point for a below-par Newcastle with a late equaliser, and Enrique, watching from the bench, was more than happy with the result, if not the performance.
"I think it was a good point for us," said Enrique. "It was a derby, and an important game. If they didn't win, it was bad for them.
"We have a four-point lead over West Bromwich Albion, and nine points over Nottingham Forest."
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 11 February 2012
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Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
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