Will Viduka Be Back In Time For Christmas?
The Newcastle United striker has not kicked a ball for the club this season because of an Achilles problem.
Kinnear: "There are seven or eight key players who I'd love to have at my disposal, but most of them are at least three or four weeks away.
"Mark Viduka is at least six weeks away, and Alan Smith is out for three months."
YESTERDAY ON FOOTY MAD ....
An Australian consortium establishing a second A-League team in Melbourne is planning an audacious bid to lure Mark Viduka back to Australia as their star player.
Aware they need to make an immediate impact given the success of Melbourne Victory, the provisionally named Melbourne Heart group believes a major signing is crucial - and Viduka is their No.1 target.
Viduka is heading to Australia for treatment on a long-standing achilles injury.
With Viduka insisting to national coach Pim Verbeek that he wants to continue playing for Australia through to the World Cup, the timing of his return to Australia could be "more than meets the eye".
The crux of negotiations will undoubtedly be Viduka's current annual salary.
But Viduka says he wants to play out his career in Australia.
Viduka's Newcastle contract runs to the end of this season, though many pundits anticipate he will be part of a firesale at United in January to get him off the books.
Viduka's Newcastle contract runs to the end of this season, though many pundits anticipate he will be part of a firesale at United in January to get him off the books.