Best blow for Magpies

Monday, 06/02/2012

Newcastle could be without striker Leon Best for up to six weeks.

The Republc of Ireland frontman was taken off early in the victory against Aston Villa yesterday.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew revealed: "Leon has got a medial ligament injury, which is usually a six-week lay-off."

But there was better news for the Geordies when a scan revealed that Ryan Taylor, stretched off during the first-half, has not suffered a break to his leg.

It is understood there is heavy brusing and swelling to the defender-midfielder's leg.

The blow of losing Best will be tempered by the Magpies Senegal strikeforce both scoring in the 2-1 defeat of Villa.

Top scorer Demba Ba marked his return from African Cup of Nations duty with the opener before Robbie Keane got an equaliser.

The £9m new boy Papiss Cisse hit an incredible winner on his debut in the legendary No.9 shirt.

Pardew even admitted: "He's a good age, he's not a novice player, he's been honed and the chances are that he could be better than Demba. This is a good player we've got and I thought he showed that."

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