Fit-again Shearer back for Newcastle

Newcastle captain Alan Shearer returned after a three-game absence with a calf injury to lead his side’s assault against Bolton.

The 35-year-old’s inclusion was the only change to the side which defeated Everton 2-0 at St James’ Park last weekend as Lee Bowyer returned to the substitutes’ bench.

There was only one change too to the Bolton side which beat Fulham 2-1 last time out as former Magpie Gary Speed came in for Hidetoshi Nakata.

Wanderers arrived on Tyneside not having won a league game at St James’ since 1959, but protecting a seven-game unbeaten Barclays Premiership run.

Newcastle: Given, Ramage, Elliott, Boumsong, Babayaro, Solano, Parker, Emre, N’Zogbia, Shearer, Ameobi. Subs: Harper, Bowyer, Faye, Luque, Clark.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, O’Brien, N’Gotty, Jaidi, Gardner, Faye, Okocha, Speed, Nolan, Davies, Giannakopoulos. Subs: Walker, Pedersen, Nakata, Vaz Te, Ben Haim.

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire)