Bramble may make surprise return against Fulham

Newcastle defender Titus Bramble could make a shock return to action in tonight’s Barclays Premiership clash with Fulham.

The 23-year-old has not played since suffering a groin injury on his return from hernia surgery in the disastrous 4-1 UEFA Cup quarter-final defeat by Sporting Lisbon in Portugal on April 14.

Bramble was not named in the 16-man squad yesterday, but he travelled to London today and is understood to have a chance of lining up against Chris Coleman’s side as the Magpies look to end a run of seven league games without a win.

Meanwhile, Graeme Souness’ players will not go on their traditional lap of honour at St James’ Park after their final game of the season against Chelsea.

The squad usually walks around the stadium to applaud the club’s supporters, but the decision has been taken not to this time around.

Few fans remained inside St James’ by the time the lap of honour was completed last season following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Wolves, who were to be relegated, even though their side would go on to claim a UEFA Cup spot by finishing fifth with draws at Southampton and Liverpool.

They will end the current season nowhere near those heights, and with several of the players under fire after a desperate campaign, the Magpies, who need no reminder of how dismal things have turned out, will not risk a backlash.