Bowyer benched

Disgraced Newcastle midfielder Lee Bowyer was handed a place on the bench for tonight’s UEFA Cup quarter-final first leg with Sporting Lisbon.

The 28-year-old, who was fined £200,000 (€291,000) and severely censured for his brawl with team-mate Kieron Dyer on Saturday, was named amongst the substitutes as manager Graeme Souness handed him a reprieve of sorts.

Dyer, whose appeal against his red card in that match against Aston Villa was rejected despite his club’s support, was included in the starting line-up as expected.