Babayaro is Magpies doubt

Newcastle full-back Celestine Babayaro is battling against a knee injury ahead of the FA Cup fifth round clash with his former club Chelsea on Sunday.

The Nigerian international limped off during his side’s 2-1 UEFA Cup win in Heerenveen last night, but is hopeful of being fit.

Manager Graeme Souness will make checks on Jean-Alain Boumsong (back), Kieron Dyer (viral infection) and Nicky Butt (ankle) before naming his side, but midfielders Lee Bowyer and Amdy Faye are both suspended and Steve Harper was sent home early from Holland with chicken pox.

Provisional squad: Given, Caig, Carr, Babayaro, Hughes, Taylor, Boumsong, Bramble, O’Brien, Ramage, Dyer, Jenas, Robert, Butt, Ambrose, Milner, N’Zogbia, Shearer, Ameobi, Kluivert.