Butt ready for action against Sochaux

NEWCASTLE midfielder Nicky Butt is ready to end his European exile in France tomorrow.

The 29-year-old has been a bystander for all but a few minutes of the Magpies’ UEFA Cup campaign after being sent-off in the 2-0 qualifying round victory over Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin in September.

Butt was handed a three-match ban for his tussle with Sakhnin skipper Abas Suan.

Graeme Souness’ side sit top of Group D with six points and one more would seal their progress to the last 32 of the competition.

And with Butt having shaken off the hamstring injury which kept him out of Saturday’s Premiership win at Crystal Palace, he is set to return against Sochaux after resuming training yesterday.

That will come as a welcome boost to Souness, who will travel to France without skipper Alan Shearer, who has a thigh injury. Ireland defenders Stephen Carr (knee) and Andy O’Brien (hamstring) will also be missing, while Souness will check on ’keeper Steve Harper, who needed stitches following a clash in training.