Car accident grounds Luque

Spanish international Albert Luque missed Newcastle’s flight to Germany this morning after being involved in a traffic accident on his way to the airport.

The £9.5m signing from Deportivo La Coruna was unhurt in the incident, which is understood to have happened as he headed for Newcastle International Airport to join up with the rest of the squad as they travelled out for tomorrow’s UEFA Cup clash against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Luque is expected to travel to Germany on another flight later today and is likely to start the Group H match as the Magpies attempt to clinch top spot.