Souness to switch strikers

Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy are likely to return to the Newcastle starting line-up for the Barclays Premiership trip to Southampton on Sunday after being rested last night.

Patrick Kluivert and Shola Ameobi got the nod up front against UEFA Cup first round opponents Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin, but manager Graeme Souness has indicated Shearer and Bellamy will be back at the St Mary’s Stadium.

However, he will be without Kieron Dyer, who damaged a hamstring against the Israelis, and Aaron Hughes (calf) is a doubt, although French youngster Charles N’Zogbia returns to the squad after being ineligible in midweek.

Provisional squad: Given, Harper, Carr, Hughes, Bernard, O’Brien, Elliott, Ramage, Butt, Robert, Jenas, Bowyer, Milner, N’Zogbia, Ambrose, Brittain, Shearer, Bellamy, Kluivert, Ameobi.