Duo put Magpies before country

Newcastle defenders Nikos Dabizas and Aaron Hughes have put club before country as they prepare for Monday night’s Barclaycard Premiership opener against West Ham.

The Greek international and his Northern Ireland team-mate, who played such an important part in the 1-0 Champions League qualifier victory over Zeljeznicar in Bosnia on Wednesday night, will remain on Tyneside instead of joining up with their colleagues for midweek friendlies after a gruelling few days.