Newcastle look to fringe players for tricky trip to Greece

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has warned his fringe players they must take their opportunity in Athens tonight in the first leg of their Europa League play-off.

Pardew will be without a series of key players for the clash with Atromitos in Greece.

France international Hatem Ben Arfa is suspended after being sent off in his final European game for Marseille in March 2010, while Fabricio Coloccini, Cheick Tiote, Demba Ba and Shola Ameobi all stayed behind with minor injuries, although they are expected to be fit for Saturday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Chelsea.