Ameobi likely to lead Magpies

Shola Ameobi is again likely to lead the line for Newcastle against West Ham tomorrow night with Andy Carroll still sidelined.

Carroll will miss out again with a thigh injury and is unlikely to be fit for Saturday’s FA Cup third round trip to Stevenage as he targets a return at Sunderland on January 16.

Ameobi could once again be partnered by Peter Lovenkrands, although manager Alan Pardew has promised Leon Best and Nile Ranger that they will get chances as he attempts to make the most of his squad.

Defender Sol Campbell will sit out again as he recovers from illness, while Dan Gosling is approaching full fitness after his long-term knee injury.

Hatem Ben Arfa (double leg fracture) and Ryan Taylor (ankle ligaments) remain on the sidelines.

Provisional squad (from): Harper, Krul, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, S. Taylor, Kadar, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Smith, Routledge, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Tavernier, Donaldson, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Best, Ranger, Xisco.