Luque handed chance torevitalise Magpies career

FORGOTTEN man Albert Luque will come in from the cold in Sicily tonight as Newcastle attempt to ease towards the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup.

The 28-year-old Spaniard is the main beneficiary of an injury crisis which has wrecked manager Glenn Roeder’s plans for the tie against Palermo.

A 23-man party jetted out of Newcastle yesterday with £10 million summer signing Obafemi Martins, Shola Ameobi and Michael Owen left behind in the treatment room and Giuseppe Rossi ineligible to play in Europe. In addition, skipper Scott Parker stayed behind, as did Damien Duff, Stephen Carr and Celestine Babayaro, who all have minor knocks, although Emre and Sibierski are both fit. Keeper Steve Harper is struggling with a groin strain, which could hand Dutch teenager Tim Krul his debut.

Roeder confirmed £9.5 million former Deportivo la Coruna star Luque will start. Luque has started only two games this season — the 1-1 Intertoto Cup draw with Lillestrom on July 15, in which he scored, and the 0-0 UEFA Cup draw with Ventspils on August 24.

Roeder said: “This is the opportunity for him to show what he can do on a fairly big European stage, and a chance to prove he really wants to play for Newcastle.”

Roeder insists he will field a competitive side in the search for a positive result following last month’s home victory over Fenerbahce.

He said: “It is a match for the brave. We will have some young players out there and we can only hope that they grow into men.”

Palermo, who won at Fiorentina at the weekend, are level on points with Inter Milan at the top of Serie A.

Newcastle face a crucial Premiership clash with Sheffield United less than 48 hours after the game in Palermo, and Roeder will hope his injury woes have eased significantly by then.

Goalkeeper Shay Given is close to a return after abdominal surgery, though he will not be rushed back. Roeder said: “Shay is all but back in full training and he is travelling to Sicily to try to build up to full fitness.”

Palermo coach Francesco Guidolin will be without midfielder Aimo Diana but Christian Bovo could make a long-awaited return.