Newcastle's Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer (hamstring), as well as Jermaine Jenas (thigh), have little chance of playing against Marseille in their UEFA Cup semi-final first leg clash at St James's Park.
Lee Bowyer is also doubtful as he has been nursing a sore hamstring since the weekend. And Shola Ameobi is doubtful due to a groin injury as is Titus Bramble due to a knee injury.
Marseille have headed for Tyneside without injured Egyptian frontman Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' and with major doubts over on-loan Fulham striker Steve Marlet.
Newcastle captain Alan Shearer seemed up for the challenge despite the injury concerns, saying: "We will give it a right good go. That is all I can promise. You can't promise anything else in football.
"You can't promise any result, but the one thing you can say is that we will give it a right good go and if we are not successful, it certainly won't be for the want of trying. We are all up for it, we are all looking forward to the game. We have improved slowly but surely with each round.
"I think we are going to have to do that again, but I think we are capable of it. I think Marseille will be without doubt our biggest test, but I think they will have a big test themselves."
Filed by Johnny Proby
