Fingers crossed for midfield duo

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder is hoping for good news on midfielders Scott Parker and Nicky Butt as he attempts to cope with a fresh injury crisis.

Both men are back in training after ankle problems ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash with Blackburn, and they will be needed with Emre (ankle) and Antoine Sibierski (broken arm), like Damien Duff (ankle), having been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Michael Owen (knee) and Shola Ameobi (hip) have had no reaction to their return to action at Reading, but the game comes too soon for goalkeeper Shay Given (groin).

Provisional squad: Harper, Srnicek, Solano, Carr, Babayaro, Taylor, Bramble, Onyewu, Moore, Ramage, Butt, Parker, Milner, Dyer, N’Zogbia, Martins, Owen, Ameobi, Luque, Carroll.