Perch a doubt for Toon

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton has few injury problems ahead of tomorrow night’s Premier League clash with Blackburn.

Full-back James Perch has a slight ankle problem which could keep him out, although Danny Simpson’s return to fitness has seen the former Nottingham Forest defender named only among the substitutes in recent weeks.

Striker Leon Best returned to training after a long-standing ankle problem yesterday, but the game will come too soon for him, and only Steve Harper (shoulder), Hatem Ben Arfa (double leg fracture) and Dan Gosling (knee) remain on the sidelines.

Provisional squad: Krul, Soderberg, R. Taylor, Simpson, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, S. Taylor, Campbell, Kadar, Smith, Tiote, Barton, Routledge, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Tavernier, Donaldson, Nolan, Carroll, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Ranger.