Dyer out of Blues clash

Kieron Dyer is out of the Newcastle squad for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash with Birmingham as he battles against an undisclosed medical condition.

Full-back Stephen Carr will also be missing after undergoing surgery to repair a hernia in Munich yesterday, while Lee Bowyer has had an injection in his injured knee but will not return until after the international break.

Albert Luque could be back in business in a fortnight’s time after two months on the sidelines with a torn hamstring, while Craig Moore (also hamstring) is still out.

Team (from): Given, Harper, Ramage, Babayaro, Bramble, Boumsong, Taylor, Elliott, Parker, Emre, Solano, N’Zogbia, Faye, Clark, Brittain, Shearer, Owen, Ameobi, Chopra.