Woodgate misses out

Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate is out of tomorrow’s Barclaycard Premiership clash with Middlesbrough as he battles a groin problem.

The England international missed the 1-1 draw at Blackburn on February 11 with the injury and will not be includes in the Magpies’ squad, although the club are confident that he will be fit for either Thursday night’s UEFA Cup trip to Valerenga or the league game as Portsmouth next Sunday.

Full-back Andy Griffin is out with an Achilles strain, but Craig Bellamy has recovered from a swollen knee and could start.

Provisional squad: Given, Harper, Hughes, Bernard, Elliott, O’Brien, Bramble, Speed, Robert, Jenas, Dyer, Bowyer, Viana, Ambrose, Shearer, Bellamy, Ameobi, Bridges.