Mohammad Idrissou put Cameroon on course for a spot in the African Nations Cup quarter-finals with a late winner in a topsy-turvy Group D clash against Zambia.

THIS year’s African Nations Cup threw up another upset yesterday as Gabon took down one of the tournament favourites, Cameroon, in the first Group D game.

Ivory Coast became the second African nation to qualify for the 2010 World Cup tonight after a second-half strike from Chelsea star Didier Drogba earned them the point they needed to secure their place in South Africa.

Peterborough 2 Newcastle 0

DANNY GUTHRIE fired Newcastle to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship last night as the depleted Magpies edged their way past Leicester.

NEW Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is enduring a baptism of fire in his first few weeks in the job.

Newcastle 4 Huddersfield 3

NEWCASTLE’S players returned for pre-season training yesterday amid hopes that a breakthrough off the field could be just days away.

Alan Shearer was today ready to open talks about launching his career as Newcastle manager in earnest.

Newcastle boss Alan Shearer is facing yet another injury crisis as he prepares for Sunday’s crunch trip to Aston Villa.

Newcastle boss Alan Shearer will again be without left-back Jose Enrique for tomorrow’s crucial Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham.

Newcastle boss Alan Shearer is facing a midfield headache ahead of Monday night’s crucial Barclays Premier League clash with Middlesbrough.

Newcastle boss Alan Shearer will be without key defenders Jose Enrique and Steven Taylor for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Liverpool.

Newcastle full-back Jose Enrique could return for Monday night's must-win Barclays Premier League clash with Portsmouth.

Newcastle manager Alan Shearer will make a series of late decisions on his injured players ahead of Sunday’s trip to Tottenham.

Newcastle boss Alan Shearer could have defender Sebastien Bassong back at his disposal for tomorrow’s crucial trip to Stoke.

Newcastle boss Alan Shearer hopes to have three key players available for his first game in charge against Chelsea tomorrow.

Newcastle will welcome back Kevin Nolan from suspension for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Arsenal.

Hull 1 Newcastle 1

Newcastle skipper Michael Owen returns to the squad for the first time since January for tomorrow’s vital trip to Hull.

Irish international Damien Duff (calf) is out of tomorrow night’s Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United.

GARY MEGSON has endured some torrid days since assuming charge of Bolton, but this was not one of them.

Bolton 1 Newcastle 0

Newcastle will be without midfielder Kevin Nolan for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Bolton as he starts a three-match ban.

Newcastle caretaker manager Chris Hughton will welcome back Argentinian winger Jonas Gutierrez for Sunday’s game with Everton at St James’ Park.

JOE KINNEAR is already planning his return to Newcastle’s training ground as he waits to be released from hospital this morning.

Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear has taken a gamble on the fitness of striker Shola Ameobi for today's vital derby clash with Sunderland.

RECORD signing Robinho and new arrival Craig Bellamy both paid the first instalment of a debt to manager Mark Hughes by ensuring a Manchester City win against ailing Newcastle last night.

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear is not expecting any of his injured players to return for the vital Premier League trip to Blackburn tomorrow.

Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear has confirmed the club have lodged a £5million bid for Rennes midfielder Stephane Mbia.

Newcastle 0 Hull 1

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear will be without 11 senior players for tomorrow night’s FA Cup third-round replay with Hull.

IT was not simply the Arctic weather which was causing shivers in the St James’ Park stands on Saturday.

Newcastle 2 West Ham 2

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear will be without key midfielder Nicky Butt for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with West Ham.

IF Michael Owen does not want to discuss his future until the summer, Newcastle must give retaining Shay Given their immediate attention.

Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given will play in tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round tie at Hull after manager Joe Kinnear insisted he will not be sold.

Newcastle 1 Liverpool 5

Andrew Carroll is likely to partner Michael Owen up front against Liverpool with Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear reeling from a string of injury worries.

Michael Owen and Emile Heskey, so often teammates for Liverpool and England, were looking to impress when they squared off as Wigan took on Newcastle in the Premier League.

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear will be without strikers Obafemi Martins and Shola Ameobi for the St Stephen's Day trip to Wigan.

Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins was denied the opportunity to score in a fifth successive league game against Tottenham when a groin injury ruled him out of this afternoon’s clash.

Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins will undergo a late fitness test tomorrow for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham.

TONY ADAMS is still in the embryonic stage of his managerial career, but already the Portsmouth boss has honed the art of the outspoken comment.