Hughton handed tough selection

Caretaker Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is facing a major selection headache as he prepares for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Hull.

Habib Beye (Achilles) is a doubt, while medics are still trying to assess the extent of shoulder damage suffered by Argentina international Jonas Gutierrez in midweek.

Obafemi Martins (groin), Mark Viduka (Achilles), Damien Duff (knee) and Jose Enrique (hamstring) will all be missing, while Alan Smith was not match-fit for the match at Arsenal and Joey Barton is serving a six-match ban.

A clutch of youngsters could be involved although deadline day signings Xisco and Ignacio Gonzalez could play, while Geremi (knee) and Claudio Cacapa (hamstring) are back in contention.

Provisional squad: Given, Harper, Beye, N’Zogbia, Taylor, Coloccini, Cacapa, Bassong, Tozer, Edgar, Butt, Geremi, Guthrie, Smith, Gonzalez, Owen, Xisco, Donaldson, Ranger.