On Sky
Newcastle will be hoping for a repeat of the performance that saw them dump Chelsea out of the FA cup back in 2005 as they take on the Champions in this Carling Cup quarter final tie.
Crisis? What Crisis?
‘Left-back is obviously a problem. It’s a big problem for us. I know in my own mind what we will do but we are waiting on the fitness of Nobby. That could be key to what we do,’ said Roeder,
‘I wouldn’t want to shift Peter to left-back because he is building a good partnership with Steven in the middle. I could really do with Nobby being fit. I’m not saying he would necessarily play left-back. But he has proved recently that he’s so versatile and he could play anywhere and give Newcastle a good performance.’
Roeder added that ‘We’re not overly concerned [about Duff] at the moment but he is experiencing slight pain around the site of the cartilage operation that he has just had.’
He added ‘It’s important that we continue to play well and put on a performance.’
Newcastle Team News:
Duff (knee) and Babayaro (suspended) will not be available to face their old club. Solano (groin) and Emre (ankle) face late fitness tests. Newcastle (from)
Given, Srnicek, Solano, Taylor, Ramage, Huntington, Parker, Butt, Emre, Milner, Pattison, Troisi, Gate, Edgar, Martins, Dyer, Sibierski, Luque, Rossi, Carroll
Player to watch: Oba
Martins has proved himself as a world class goal scorer in recent weeks and he’ll be looking to continue his good spell in front of goal.
Chelsea Team News:
Terry (back) and Cudicini (thigh) are both doubtful. Chelsea are expected to rest several key players, though with their squad this will provide little comfort to Newcastle fans.
Player to watch: All of them!
Ballack, Robben, Fat Frank… Though Newcastle will be most worried about the threat posed by Drogba.
Previous Meeting
Chelsea 1 Newcastle 0
Drogba, 74
Next Fixtures:
Spurs (h) 23rd December