Debuchy

  • Date: Thursday, 14th February
  • Venue: St James’ Park
  • K/o: 20:05

Team News

Newcastle United will be without defender Mathieu Debuchy and striker Yoan Gouffran for their Europa League clash with Ukrainian side Metalist Kharkiv. The French duo are cup tied having already played in Europe for Bordeaux and Lille respectively this season. Gouffran wouldn’t be available anyway as he continues to battle back to match fitness following a leg injury.

The Magpies will also be without Hartem Ben Arfa (knee) and Sammy Ameobi (hamstring).

Metalist manager Myron Markevych has no injury concerns ahead of this clash. Because of a mid-season domestic break for the Ukrainian side, Metalist have been enjoying the countryside of England’s North East this past week and took part in a friendly against Whitley Bay in preparation for tonight’s game.

Match Preview

While Alan Pardew’s Newcastle have found themselves embroiled in a relegation battle that took another hit at the weekend with defeat to Tottenham, Metalist Kharkiv have been gallivanting through the countryside of the North East taking in all the views and fresh air.

It is currently a mid-season break for the Ukrainian Premier League and the only action Metalist have seen recently came in a 1-1 draw with Whitley Bay this week in preparation for tonight’s Europa League clash.

The Eastern European outfit aren’t to be underestimated, however; they have won five and lost two of their last nine away matches in Europe and no side scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of Europa League group stage matches than Metalist Kharkiv (5), meaning Newcastle will have to be on their toes.

This is Metalist’s first encounter with Newcastle and the Ukrainian’s only clash with English opposition before this came in the 2007/08 Europa League. Then, they were eliminated in the first round by Everton 4-3 on aggregate.

Likely Line-Ups

Newcastle
Krul, Santon, S Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Simpson, Marveaux, Tiote, Cabaye, Sissoko, Obertan, Cisse

Metalist
Goryainov, Vilagra, Torsiglieri, Fininho, Sosa, Torres, Blanco, Marlos, Gueye, Cristaldo, Willian

Source: Yahoo!

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