Tiote still sidelined for Newcastle, Best a doubt

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will once again be without key midfielder Cheik Tiote for tomorrow’s daunting trip to Manchester City.

The Ivory Coast international is close to a return after a knee problem, but is unlikely to do so before next weekend’s visit to Manchester United, while French midfielder Sylvain Marveaux is expected to be sidelined for an extended period as he prepares to undergo groin surgery.

Leon Best (groin) and Gabriel Obertan (infected toe) are also doubts, although striker Shola Ameobi should be available after shaking off a hamstring injury and could be joined in the squad by younger brother Sammy, who yesterday signed a new three-and-a-half year contract.

Provisional squad: Krul, Elliot, Simpson, R. Taylor, Santon, Ferguson, Coloccini, S. Taylor, Perch, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Gosling, Guthrie, Ben Arfa, Abeid, Vuckic, Smith, Ba, Shola Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Sammy Ameobi.