Peter Løvenkrands not blaming Malouda for injury

Apr 9 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

“I will take my days to come back. I want to come back and be 100% and do myself justice when I come back.”

The injury leaves the Dane a frustrated spectator for the relegation ‘six-pointer’ with Stoke on Saturday but he is confident his team-mates will prosper at the Britannia Stadium.

“We need to get something from the game and I think we will be able to do that,” he said.

“We’ve got a good chance going there. We’ve played well against teams near the

top of the table – now we have to transform that form into games against teams around us.”

Løvenkrands’ injury (pictured below) reduces United caretaker boss Alan Shearer’s options up front, although Andy Carroll is pushing for a recall after notching two goals in the reserves earlier in the week.

Newcastle will also be without Mark Viduka and Joey Barton for the trip to Stoke, although the former is likely to be back in full training by the middle of next week.

“Mark is going well and his fitness is improving,” Shearer revealed. “At the moment he’s working with the physios but if all goes according to plan then he could return to full training by the middle of next week.

“At this moment in time he is going well but he is one we are continuing to monitor him.”

Shearer has reiterated his belief that the Stoke game will be a huge test of character for his squad – and every bit as difficult as Chelsea.

“It will be our next test of character.

“It will be a totally different test to the Chelsea game, but certainly it will be every bit as tough, we know that for sure,” United’s caretaker boss said.