Shearer sidelined for Birmingham clash

Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer was forced to sit and watch his side head into battle with Birmingham this afternoon after his comeback was wrecked by a fresh injury.

The 34-year-old, who has missed the previous nine games with a thigh strain, damaged a calf in training yesterday and was forced into another spell on the sidelines as manager Graeme Souness fielded the same 11 who lost 1-0 to Arsenal on Wednesday.

That meant another run-out for Shola Ameobi in partnership with Craig Bellamy as the Magpies looked to end a sequence of seven matches without a victory.

Birmingham Boss Steve Bruce made just one change to the side which claimed a fourth successive win at Fulham on Tuesday with Stan Lazaridis replacing Jamie Clapham.

Newcastle: Given, Taylor, Bramble, Hughes, Bernard, Bowyer, Dyer, Jenas, Robert, Bellamy, Ameobi. Subs: Andrew O’Brien, Harper, N’Zogbia, Milner, Ambrose.

Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Upson, Cunningham, Tebily, Johnson, Carter, Savage, Lazaridis, Heskey, Morrison. Subs: Clapham, Vaesen, Gray, Anderton, Yorke.

Referee: R Styles (Hampshire)