Newcastle are without the suspended Nikos Dabizas and injured trio Craig Bellamy (knee), Titus Bramble (hamstring) and Carl Cort (knee) for the derby match with Middlesbrough at St James’ Park on Monday night.

Ronny Johnsen and Laurent Blanc have recovered from injury to boost Manchester United ahead of their Champions League semi-final showdown with Bayer Leverkusen.

Manchester United’s Juan Sebastian Veron is to see a specialist about his troublesome heel injury.

Juan Sebastian Veron will miss Manchester United’s Champions League match against Boavista amid fears that he may have broken a bone in his foot.