Ireland must wait for Toon debut

Newcastle new boy Stephen Ireland will not figure against Fulham tomorrow night after arriving on Tyneside with an injury.

The midfielder, who has joined on loan from Aston Villa for the rest of the season, has a hamstring problem which is expected to sideline him for around two weeks.

Midfielder Cheik Tiote completes his three-match ban but skipper Kevin Nolan (ankle) and Danny Guthrie, who limped off with cramp during the 1-1 draw with Tottenham last time out, will be available.

Ryan Taylor (ankle), has returned to training, but Steven Taylor (hamstring), Dan Gosling (knee), Alan Smith (ankle) and Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg) remain on the sidelines.

Provisional squad: Harper, Krul, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Campbell, Barton, Nolan, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Donaldson, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Best, Ranger.