DYER SET FOR MAGPIES RETURN
Newcastle United midfielder Kieron Dyer will return to the starting line-up for SundayÂ’s Barclays Premiership clash with Portsmouth at St James' Park.
The 27-year-old was rested for Thursday night’s 2-1 UEFA Cup victory over Celta Vigo, but like £10million striker Obafemi Martins and skipper Scott Parker, is expected to play against Pompey.
Winger Damien Duff is out after undergoing knee surgery, while Craig Moore (hamstring), Celestine Babayaro (groin), Olivier Bernard and Shola Ameobi (both hip) and Michael Owen (knee) will also be missing.
Stephen Carr could return from a foot injury, while Nicky Butt and Emre should shake off knocks picked up against Celta, and Giuseppe Rossi is available after being ineligible for UEFA Cup duty.
Midfielder Gary OÂ’Neil (thigh) and striker Benjani Mwaruwari (knee) are fit to return to the Portsmouth squad, but Matt Taylor is still a doubt after suffering a virus and skipper Dejan Stefanovic will continue at left back.
Stefanovic is likely to need a knee operation eventually but is playing on for the moment. Another blow for Pompey is that striker Andy Cole has an Achilles injury and could be out for a few weeks.
Reserve goalkeeper Dean Kiely has gone on loan for a month at Luton but Jamie Ashdown is back from a loan spell at Norwich and will be on the bench.
Newcastle United (from): Given, Harper, Srnicek, Carr, Ramage, Bramble, Taylor, Huntington, Parker, Butt, Emre, Dyer, Solano, Milner, NÂ’Zogbia, Pattison, OÂ’Brien, Martins, Sibierski, Luque, Carroll.
Portsmouth (from): James; Pamarot, Primus, Campbell, Stefanovic, OÂ’Neil, Pedro Mendes, Davis, Kranjcar, Kanu, Lualua, Benjani, Thompson, Taylor, Fernandes, Hughes, Douala, OÂ’Brien, Koroman, Ashdown.