Butt set for Magpies return

Nicky Butt could return to the Newcastle starting line-up for tomorrow’s UEFA Cup first-round clash against Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin.

The midfielder missed the 3-0 win over Blackburn with a hamstring injury, and he, like full-back Olivier Bernard, who has shaken off an ankle problem, is in line for a comeback.

Darren Ambrose is also included in the squad after recovering from a knee problem, but Titus Bramble is still missing with the groin injury which has sidelined him for the season to date.

Team (from): Given, Harper, Carr, Hughes, Bernard, O’Brien, Elliott, Butt, Dyer, Robert, Jenas, Bowyer, Milner, Ambrose, Brittain, Shearer, Bellamy, Kluivert, Ameobi.