Hip hassle for Milner

James Milner is battling against a hip problem in an attempt to be fit for Newcastle’s UEFA Cup clash with Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany tomorrow night.

Charles N’Zogbia has recovered from a shin injury and Celestine Babayaro was on the plane which left Newcastle this morning despite a groin problem.

Striker Albert Luque has, meanwhile, made his own way to Germany after escaping unhurt from a road accident on his way to the airport.

Stephen Carr (foot), Olivier Bernard (hip), Kieron Dyer (thigh) and Scott Parker (back muscle) joined Michael Owen, Damien Duff and Tim Krul (all knee), Shola Ameobi (hip) and Craig Moore (hamstring) are sidelined, while Giuseppe Rossi is ineligible.

Youngsters Fraser Forster, Paul Huntington, David Edgar, James Troisi, Matty Pattison, Kris Gate and Andy Carroll are included in the squad.

Provisional squad: Given, Forster, Solano, Bramble, Taylor, Huntington, Ramage, Babayaro, Butt, Emre, N’Zogbia, Milner, Pattison, Troisi, Gate, Edgar, Martins, Sibierski, Luque, Carroll.