Aviva Premiership
Cueto fit but won't face Falcons
ESPNscrum Staff
January 4, 2011
Sale wing Mark Cueto is shackled by the Leicester defence, Leicester v Sale, Aviva Premiership, Welford Road, Leicester, England, December 27, 2010
Mark Cueto won't face Newcastle this weekend, but did not suffer any long term damage to his calf against Saracens © Getty Images
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Mark Cueto suffered no long term damage to his injured calf in Sale's win over Saracens on Sunday, but will not feature against Newcastle on Friday.

The England wing scored the first try in the Edgeley Park side's impressive and unexpected win over the high flying Londoners, and the club has since allayed fears over his fitness despite the fact he was withdrawn during the second half.

Sale can now put some distance between themselves and the Falcons who are eight points behind them, one place above the relegation place, but they will have to do without their captain who will be rested as part of the England Elite Player Scheme.

"It was cramp in my calf and despite extensive treatment on the field it wouldn't settle down," Cueto explained. "[Coach] Pete Anglesea made the substitution. We needed 15 fit men to finish the game against Sarries. I am fine now but won't be able to play on Friday at Newcastle as I have to rest under the England EPS system.

And the 31-year-old can rest a little easier after the defeat of Saracens, which takes some pressure off his struggling charges. Delighted with his own try, the 70th of his career, Cueto is now targeting the all-time Premiership try scoring record of 75 held by former Sale favourite Steve Hanley.

"We had a dream first half," he said. "Pete told us to go out and express ourselves which we did. Saracens came back at as in the second half and lets be respectful here, Sarries are in third place, are a good side and have quality all over the field.

"We scored three tries on the day to their one and being honest we are delighted with the way things have changed round so quickly. Pete and the coaching staff have worked around the clock and I am sure there are more performances like that to come.

"I have been stuck in the 60's for ages and now I have scored my 70th Premiership try I have Stan's (Steve Hanley's). He has been giving me stick for a while now that I will never get to 76!"

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