Kinnear Says Keegan Was Wrong To Play Owen In Midfield!
Last updated : 22 November 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor
Kinnear faces a tough decision without Steven Taylor as he attempts to select a central defensive partnership from Fabricio Coloccini, Sebastien Bassong and Claudio Cacapa, and then another over which of Bassong, Jose Enrique or Charles N'Zogbia gets the nod at left-back.
Kinnear: "If I knew what strikers Chelsea would play, then that would be helpful. I could be looking at who would be best at coping with Joe Cole.
"People keep telling me that Kevin (Keegan) played Michael in midfield, but I cannot see me doing that. I have no intention of playing Michael Owen in midfield, none whatsoever.
"I played all three - Shola Ameobi, Oba Martins and Michael - in the last half an hour at Fulham, and I could do it again at Chelsea.
"It's all a bit gung-ho, but I have never been afraid to make changes."
Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari could be without a host of star players for Saturday's Premier League clash.
Frank Lampard, who withdrew from the England squad to face Germany because of a rib injury, remains a doubt, while Didier Drogba is definitely out as he starts a three-match ban.
Ashley Cole (foot), Alex (thigh), and Juliano Belletti (ankle) are also doubtful, Ricardo Carvalho is almost certain to miss out with a knee injury and Michael Essien and Franco Di Santo are definitely out.
However, Scolari hopes to have Joe Cole (hamstring) and goalkeeper Petr Cech (calf) back in the squad for the clash against the Magpies.
Kinnear faces a defensive headache.
Steven Taylor (abdominal muscle) is still out, leaving Kinnear to chose two central defenders from Fabricio Coloccini, Sebastien Bassong and Claudio Cacapa.
Danny Guthrie is likely to deputise for Joey Barton (knee) in central midfield.
Striker Mark Viduka (Achilles) is back in training but is not yet ready to return, while Xisco (hamstring), Gonzalez (Achilles) and Alan Smith (foot) are still out.
CHELSEA (from): Cech, Cudicini, Bosingwa, Terry, Ivanovic, Bridge, Ballack, Lampard, A Cole, Alex, Belletti, Obi, Deco, Ferreira, Kalou, Malouda, Anelka, J Cole, Stoch, Mineiro.
NEWCASTLE (from): Given, Harper, Beye, Enrique, N'Zogbia, Bassong, Coloccini, Cacapa, Edgar, Butt, Guthrie, Duff, Gutierrez, Geremi, Ameobi, Owen, Martins, Carroll.