Newcastle have to make do

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson is forced to do without three of his most influential players as his side goes into a UEFA Cup semi-final with Marseille at St James’ Park tonight.

Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer and Jermaine Jenas, as expected, all miss out through injury, and there were further blows when Lee Bowyer was sidelined by a hamstring problem and Michael Bridges was only able to make the bench after illness.

Robson takes a gamble on the fitness of England Under-21 striker Shola Ameobi alongside captain Alan Shearer while Hugo Viana gets his chance in central midfield and Darren Ambrose resumes at right wing.

Marseille coach Jose Anigo is able to field arguably his strongest 11 with star striker Didier Drogba, who missed the 1-0 quarter-final second-leg win over Inter Milan through suspension, the only change to the side which started that game.

Newcastle: Given, Hughes, O’Brien, Woodgate, Bernard, Ambrose, Viana, Speed, Robert, Ameobi, Shearer. Subs: Harper, Elliott, Bridges, Bramble, Chopra, Brittain, Orr.

Marseille: Barthez, Beye, Hemdani, Meite, Ferreira, Flamini, N’Diaye, Dos Santos, Batlles, Meriem, Drogba. Subs: Christanval, Vachousek, Ecker, Celestini, Gavanon, Cicut, Cantareil.

Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Russia)