• Premier League

Pardew expects Cabaye to be OK after Derry tackle

Yohan Cabaye was not happy with Shaun Derry's tackle during Newcastle's victory over QPR © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Golden Graham upstages Henry in Arsenal defeat
  
• News: Hughes to 'wait and see' on QPR Samba deal
  
• News: QPR chairman rejects Barton exit talk
  

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew does not expect star midfielder Yohan Cabaye to suffer any lasting damage after being forced off the St James' Park pitch by QPR's Shaun Derry on Sunday.

Cabaye was on the end of a crunching tackle from midfielder Derry after just 20 minutes of Newcastle's 1-0 win and had to be stretchered off, eventually being replaced by Hatem Ben Arfa.

The France international reacted furiously to the tackle, although 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.

"It was a strong challenge, but Shaun Derry is a player who makes strong challenges. The referee was right on top of it," Pardew said. "I thought it was borderline yellow/red, but I think probably it was a yellow. He seemed to get the ball."

Foy controversially sent off Manchester City's Vincent Kompany seven days ago but Pardew did not want to add fuel to the current debate raging over refereeing decisions and preferred to concentrate on the return of his injured player.

"There's always controversy about tackling. It's very, very difficult for referees, so I am not going to sit here and criticise that decision," Pardew said. "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 QPR dug-out for the first time, was of a similar opinion, although admitted he had not seen a replay of the incident.

"At the time, I thought it was a whole-hearted challenge," Hughes said. "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. Ryan Taylor found the striker on the left edge of the penalty area and he stepped inside fullback Luke Young before side-footing past keeper Paddy Kenny and into the far corner.

The Magpies, despite never reaching the heights of their 3-0 victory over Manchester United, gradually assumed control and saw the game out to ease themselves above Liverpool into sixth place in the Premier League table. However, Pardew will reserve judgment on whether they can stay there until he sees where they sit when Cheik Tiote and Demba Ba return from the African Cup of Nations.

"That question, you are probably better off asking me when we get through this period without two great players because Cheik and Demba are two great players," Pardew said. "We have had two hurdles so far since they have gone: Blackburn in the cup, which was a tough game and we won, and we have won again today, so so far, flying colours."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.