Pardew rings the chances for Atromitos tie

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew made nine changes as he attempted to secure a Europa League first-leg advantage over Atromitos.

Summer signings Vurnon Anita and Gael Bigirimana were handed starts in midfield in a side which had 37-year-old goalkeeper Steve Harper making his first competitive senior appearance for the club since April last year and central defender Mike Williamson wearing the captain’s armband.

With Hatem Ben Arfa suspended and Fabricio Coloccini, Cheick Tiote, Demba Ba and Shola Ameobi left at home, Pardew tested the depth of his squad in the Athens suburb of Peristeri with only James Perch and Papiss Cisse surviving from Saturday’s win over Tottenham, and there was a place on the bench for 17-year-old striker Adam Campbell.