Defensive worries for Portsmouth

Portsmouth are still without skipper Dejan Stefanovic (knee) for the Carling Cup tie at Newcastle and a thigh injury also threatens to rule out his fellow defender Glen Johnson.

Striker Lomana LuaLua has recovered from the virus which forced him to miss Saturday’s match at Chelsea and looks set to link up with Newcastle old boy Andy Cole in attack, with Kanu and Benjani Mwaruwari rested.

Like Cole, defender Andy O’Brien may face his old club as manager Harry Redknapp ponders whether to rest veteran centre-backs Sol Campbell and Linvoy Primus. Dean Kiely stands by to take over in goal from David James.

Provisional squad: Kiely (or James); O’Brien, Johnson, Pamarot, Primus, Hughes, Campbell, O’Neil, Fernandes, Davis, Taylor, Mendes, Koroman, Kranjcar, LuaLua, Cole, Thompson, Kanu, Benjani, Jordan.