Best and Ranger fit for Newcastle

Newcastle strikers Leon Best and Nile Ranger will be fit to take their places in the squad for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Blackburn.

Best withdrew from the Republic of Ireland squad with a tight hamstring, while Ranger did not report for duty with England Under-20s because of a back problem, but both men will be available at Ewood Park.

They will be joined in the squad by new recruit Shefki Kuqi, who signed a short-term deal yesterday, while Shola Ameobi hopes to return from a fractured cheekbone in as little as three weeks’ time after being fitted for a protective mask.

Central defender Steven Taylor will return to training after a hamstring injury on Monday, while loan signing Stephen Ireland continues his recovery from the knee problem he picked up while with Aston Villa.

Ryan Taylor (ankle), Dan Gosling (knee), Alan Smith (ankle) and Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg) remain on the sidelines.

Team (from): Harper, Krul, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Campbell, Tiote, Barton, Nolan, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Richardson, Lovenkrands, Best, Ranger, Kuqi.