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Newcastle striker Mark Viduka’s English Premier League season is over after the Australian succumbed to a persistent achilles injury during Chelsea’s 2-0 win at St James’ Park today.
Magpies manager Kevin Keegan said Viduka would not play in the final match of the season at Everton on Sunday.
“Mark just could not get through the game,” Keegan said.
“He will now have an injection later this week and will miss the Everton game.”
Viduka had a shot on goal saved by Chelsea ‘keeper Petr Cech and was sorely missed when he failed to return to the field after halftime.
The Socceroos star has scored seven times from 21 starts in his maiden season on Tyneside after transferring from Middlesbrough.
He had already been ruled out of Australia’s World Cup qualifiers next month against Iraq (home and away), Qatar and China.
Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan said his side had faded in the second half today.
“We were probably slightly the better side in the first half on chances created and opportunities that could have been,” Keegan said.
“But we lost Mark Viduka at halftime and I said they would be better than that in the second half. All we had done by then was get a foothold in the game.
“They were better, and we stepped back a bit, but you’ve got to give them credit.”
Chelsea’s victory, which came on the back of goals from Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda, meant the premiership will be decided on the last day of the season.
The London team are level on points with Manchester United, but have an inferior goal difference.
Manchester United remain favourites to take the title with a victory at Wigan on Sunday, while Chelsea need a freak scoreline in their favour when they host Bolton Wanderers.
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