I’ll be fit for Brighton, says United’s patched-up hero

AYOZE PEREZ has declared himself fit for the weekend clash with Brighton & Hove Albion after revealing he was clattered in the ear by the knee of a Cheltenham Town player.

The bizarre injury resulted in Perez leaving the field for treatment before being bandaged up and returning to the pitch to curl home a wonderful opener.

His goal resulted in complaints from Cheltenham boss Gary Johnson who felt that Perez should have re-entered the field on the halfway line.

Talking about his injury, Perez said after the game: “It’s a strange one.

“But I have to say it’s painful. Sports writer

“The defender caught me with his knee. It’s painful, but I am happy with the game.

“We can now focus on the Brighton game and try to win it.”

And Perez was delighted to seal Newcastle’s place in round three of the EFL Cup.

He said: “It was a tough game and we knew we had to be focused.

“But thank God we are through to the next round. “I am happy to score twice. “We had some injuries but the gaffer looked after us.

“Now we have time to recover and make sure we are ready for the next game.”

Perez also reflected on his bandaged head after being sent back on to the field in patched-up fashion.

The strapping brought back memories of Alan Shearer’s days when the Toon legend donned a similar bandage and netted against Sunderland in a derby victory after a head injury picked up against Dinamo Kiev.

Perez, speaking to BBC, said: “I might wear it every game because it gave me some luck.

“I am just really happy to be on the score sheet and we are in the next round.”