Bowyer ban prompts Robson rethink

Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson has been forced to rethink his plans for tomorrow night’s UEFA Cup third-round, first-leg clash with Valerenga in Oslo.

Midfielder Lee Bowyer is ineligible after it was revealed that he has not served his six-match European ban, while defender Jonathan Woodgate again misses out with a groin injury.

Teenagers Steven Taylor and Lewis Guy, a defender and striker respectively, have been added to the squad but there is no place for full-back Andy Griffin, who continues his recovery from an Achilles problem.

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