Pardew hopeful over Cabaye injury

Yohan Cabaye (right) and Shaun Derry
12 April 2012

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is hopeful key midfielder Yohan Cabaye did not suffer any lasting damage after finding himself on the wrong end of an X-rated tackle.

The Frenchman reacted furiously and left the pitch on a stretcher after being felled by QPR midfielder Shaun Derry's 20th-minute challenge during Sunday's 1-0 victory for the Magpies.

Pardew, who later revealed the injury did not seem as bad as was first feared, admitted that referee Chris Foy had probably got it right in only producing a yellow card, and said: "It was a strong challenge, but Shaun Derry is a player who makes strong challenges. The referee was right on top of it."

He added: "I thought it was borderline yellow/red, but I think probably it was a yellow. He seemed to get the ball.

"There always controversy about tackling. It's very, very difficult for referees, so I am not going to sit here and criticise that decision. But Yohan was upset. He felt it was probably a little bit over-exuberant, but the doc thinks he is going to be okay."

Opposite number Mark Hughes, in the Rangers dug-out for the first time, was of a similar opinion, and said: "At the time, I thought it was a whole-hearted challenge. Obviously, there's quite a debate at the moment in terms of the interpretation of challenges such as that, but whether or not the referee got that one wrong, I can't comment, really."

A tight game was won eight minutes before the break when Leon Best finally ended his four-month wait for a goal with a neat finish.

Meanwhile, Hughes, who declined to elaborate on reports that QPR are closing in on January swoops for Brazilian duo Alex and Henrique, dismissed suggestions he is ready to offload skipper Joey Barton, who was suspended for Sunday's return to his former club.

He said: "I saw that as well and I think it's one of those maybe mischief-making Sunday-morning-prior-to-an-early-kick-off lead stories. From my point of view, there's certainly no suggestion that we are thinking in those terms.

"He is captain of the club, I have re-iterated that this week. Joey is a quality player and we are looking to bring quality in, not to get those type of players out of the building."

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