Injured Ferguson is out for season
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Barry Ferguson (front) is out for season
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NEWCASTLE, England -- Blackburn and Scotland midfielder Barry Ferguson is out for the season with a broken kneecap.
Ferguson sustained the injury when he tackled Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed in the 25th minute of the Premier League clash at St James' Park -- where Blackburn won 1-0.
"We've got the three points but the joy is tempered somewhat with the news about Barry Ferguson," said Rovers manager Graeme Souness.
"If you've watched us over the last few weeks, he's been our outstanding player and it's a real blow to lose him.
"He's in hospital, we're going to go and pick him up on the way back and he'll have it all wired up. He is likely to have surgery on Monday. It's a blow to us given that we don't carry a great big squad," added Souness.
Ferguson joined Blackburn from Glasgow Rangers for a fee of around £7.5 million in August.
Newcastle's first home defeat in four months came in controversial fashion, after Blackburn striker Paul Gallagher appeared to bundle the ball home with his arm in the 72nd minute.
The defeat seriously dents Newcastle's Champions League hopes, with Blackburn ease their relegation worries by moving up to 14th position.
