Toon comes first

By European Football
October 6 2005

Newcastle United midfielder Emre has reassured the staff and public of Newcastle that he will put club before country by limiting his involvement in Turkey's crucial World Cup qualifier with Albania. Emre has been named in the Turkey squad, but has not kicked a ball in anger for Newcastle since the last round of qualifiers, as he has been subject to a softly softly approach by the medical staff at Newcastle, keen not to rush him back to early.

But there were fears that all their patience could be for nothing as Turkey seemed destined to play their star midfielder, in what is for them a make or break game.

Although the Turks had agreed not to include Emre in the friendly on Saturday Turkish boss Fatih Terim was keen to have him for the qualifier, but with one eye on the Wigan game a mere three days later Emre will not be taking any risks, with his agent Ahmet Bulut stating:

"When it comes to next week's game against Albania, he is still not sure. He would like to play some part, because it is a big game and Turkey need to win.

"But he has had two doses of treatment on his injury and he is not going to risk anything.

"Perhaps he can be on the bench and come on for some of the second half if his country needs him - maybe that will be the best thing all round.

"Whatever happens, both Emre and myself are 100 per cent confident that he will be fit to play in the Wigan game.

"Missing last weekend's game at Portsmouth was extremely frustrating for him but he will not be suffering the same frustrations at Wigan. He will be out there playing and he is sure of that."

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