Key Magpies players struggling ahead of FA Cup tie

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is sweating on the fitness of a series of key players ahead of tomorrow evening’s FA Cup third round trip to Stevenage.

Wednesday night’s hat-trick hero Leon Best is struggling with a heel injury picked up in the 5-0 demolition of West Ham, and with Andy Carroll (thigh) and Shola Ameobi (ankle) already ruled out, youngster Nile Ranger is on stand-by.