Duff likely to miss Magpies trip to Stoke

DAMIEN DUFF could miss Newcastle United’s FA Cup third round tie at Stoke City tomorrow after picking up a calf injury during his team’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City on Wednesday.

The Republic of Ireland international recently returned to first team action for the Magpies after almost eight months on the sidelines following a serious foot injury.

However, Duff’s manager, Sam Allardyce, is insistent that the latest problem to affect his midfield playmaker is nothing more than a minor setback. “If Damien doesn’t play against Stoke then it is the type of injury which should only keep him out for one game,” said the Newcastle boss. “We do not think it is anything serious.”

Duff, meanwhile, is confident Newcastle can go all the way to May’s FA Cup final at Wembley despite United’s recent run of indifferent form. The former Chelsea winger said: “We believe we can still win things with this squad.

“We are getting stronger and stronger but just not getting the results. We showed that against Chelsea last week and the way we lost that one was a massive blow. It was very disappointing but that’s life at Newcastle these days.”