Magpies forced to cancel practice

With a massive injury list challenging Joe Kinnear’s ability to field a squad for this weekends FA Cup against Hull City, the manager decided to hold off on practice:

“It’s been a case of cancelling training and wrapping my players up in cotton wool, and then we will see if we can get 11 out for Hull.

“It’s tough, but it’s my job to keep them all up for it. I have to face it, and it is my job to lift whoever is fit to play.”

At present Shola Ameobi, Nicky Butt, José Enrique will take part in pre-match fitness tests to see if they can go.