Magpies’ injury worries mount

NEWCASTLE could be without three of their most important players for Thursday’s vital UEFA Cup quarter-final tie at Sporting Lisbon.

Following Sunday’s 1-0 Premiership defeat at Tottenham, Graeme Souness revealed that Alan Shearer, goalkeeper Shay Given and midfielder Kieron Dyer could all miss the game.

Although they lead 1-0 from the first leg, Souness’ side can expect a tough test against the Portuguese side.

“The idea was to give Alan an hour against Spurs, and then take him off,” Souness explained.

“He got a dead leg in the first half. We decided to take him off at half-time. I don’t know about Shay. He didn’t play against Spurs because of a hip injury.”

Dyer could miss out due to a hamstring injury.