John Carver, the latest in a long line of men to be handed the ticking time bomb that is the job of manager at Newcastle United, has been fielding questions about his players’ choice of footwear for some weeks now.

A police horse attacked when football fans clashed following a Tyne-Wear derby is back home in his paddock safe and well, officers said today.

Sunderland and Newcastle have accepted misconduct charges from the FA following a stormy Tyne-Wear derby on March 4.

NEWCASTLE boss Graeme Souness is banking on Michael Owen beating Newcastle’s crippling injury crisis and lining up for one of the biggest games of his managerial career at St James’ Park tomorrow.