It was a miserable 21st birthday for Neil Mellor on Tuesday night
as he had to go off after just 11 minutes with a badly gashed shin
just above the ankle in the reserve game against Wimbledon at Upton
Park.
He went to Holly House for X-rays, and the hope is that the injury is not too serious for the likeable striker whom Alan Pardew insists has an important role to play at the club while on loan this season - despite inferences in the media that Brian Deane's arrival at the club will usurp his position.
The goals in a 3-2 win were from Greg Pearson on 14 minutes, trialist Ben Bowditch from Spurs on 43 minutes, and Youssef Sofiane on 57.
David Martin, son of Alvin, was in goal for the visitors.
TEAM: Bywater, Ferdinand, Byrne, Bowditch [Noble M 66], Laws [Cohen 45], Kilgallon, Sofiane, Noble D, Mellor [Blewitt], Pearson, McMahon.
Subs unused: Reid, McLenehan.