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Injury-plagued Cort on comeback trail

From the Northern Echo, first published Tuesday 22nd Jan 2002.

CARL CORT is on course to make his Newcastle United comeback in the next month.

The £7m striker hasn't played since the end of last season after being hit by ankle and knee problems.

But United boss Bobby Robson is ready to fix a behind-closed-doors game so that the former Wimbledon man can test his fitness.

It was in such a match that Cort damaged knee ligaments on the eve of the season, just as he was launching his return from ankle trouble.

Cort, 24, was Robson's biggest signing for the Magpies until he paid Paris St. Germain £10m for winger Laurent Robert last summer.

Robson said: "Carl is a top player and as long as he can get over this injury without an operation, we will be OK.

"I would be thrilled about that because it would mean we would have five strikers to choose from for the most important part of the season.

"A game will test him out. In the next month, he should be playing again. He had ligament damage inside his knee, now we'll see whether he can compete.

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It would be easy to arrange a game when he is ready to play and that could be in the next two or three weeks.

"It's a case of when the boy says he's fine. He's doing a bit of ball-work now. He hadn't touched a ball since August, but he has got a marvellous head.

"He has been very philosophical. Nothing upsets him and he's been fantastic while he's been out.''

Meanwhile, Robson has again called on Frenchman Robert to prove his worth.

Robson was disappointed with his side's goalless draw at bottom club Leicester on Saturday, when Robert once more flattered to deceive.

"He's got talent,'' said Robson. "Look at the ball he put up for Alan Shearer. If he'd knocked it in, we would have won the match.

"But we have to get more out of Laurent. He says he understands the power and pace of the Premiership. What I would say is: 'Show us'.''

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