Claudio Cacapa is set to be back into United’s squad today after recovery from a hamstring injury. Newcastle Brazilian defender is determined to prove he is still as good as he is before that earned him a place in Big Sam revolution at Tyneside.
Allardyce said that Claudio had been superb for us since his signing for Toon from French outfit Lyon, and how we have missed his experience and guile. Allardyce admitted he did make the mistakes against Pompey, but on that day Claudio wasn’t 100% fit but wanted to play.
Cacapa has been through a closed-practice match against Hartlepool earlier this week, but Allardyce is have to look until the last minute whether he is ready or not for a start at Craven Cottage to prevent him from doing the Pompey’s slumps again.
Meanwhile, Damien Duff who also played and scored in the same match practice game, but Big Sam will not risked him to play against Lawrie Sanchez’s side. Abdoulaye Faye and Stephen Carr (both hamstring) are still missing, while Michael Owen (thigh) will have to wait for next weekend’s game at home to Derby as a realistic comeback.
For the Cottagers, they will be without Simon Elliott, Jimmy Bullard, Ian Pearce, Lee Cook, Brian McBride, Kasey Keller and Philipe Christanval.
Sam Allardyce and his Toon squad will be looking for United’s second away win this season, which is also a payback time for their last season’s double against our team. So far, our record against them are not too good with only two wins from the last five meetings.
Today, with the backing of more than 4,000 travelling Toon Army who will bring the noise at Putney End. United lads will try the best they can to give the Toon Army second away win of the 2007/2008 season. Below are the last five meetings between Fulham and Newcastle at Craven Cottage:
2006/07: 1-2 (Martins)
2005/06: 0-1
2004/05: 3-1 (Ambrose, Kluivert, Ameobi)
2003/04: 3-2 (Robert, Shearer 2)
2002/03: 1-2 (Shearer)
2001/02: 1-3 (Speed)