Sporting make light of Liedson loss

'Very important'
The 27-year-old Brazilian, who has scored eight UEFA Cup goals this season, was booked at St James' Park and is suspended for Thursday's return. However, Peseiro believes Sporting can cope without him. "Liedson is very important but we have more than eleven players that can play in the first eleven, we have 25," he said.

Mota chance
João Mota, who joined Sporting in January, is likely to replace his compatriot, having started his first match for the Lisbon club in Sunday's 1-0 victory against SC Beira-Mar. Hugo, Tiago and Joseph Enakarhire are all injured while midfielder Pedro Barbosa faces a late fitness test.

'Attacking team'
Peseiro added: "We have a lot of respect for Newcastle, but we'll impose ourselves. In the first leg they almost gave up attacking in the second half and will probably do the same again. We're an attacking team and know how to deal with that [defensive approach]."

Shearer fit
Newcastle travelled to Lisbon with a full squad after Alan Shearer shook off a dead leg sustained in Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur FC. The captain has scored a tournament-leading eleven goals, but is expecting another tight contest at the Estádio José Alvalade. "That clean sheet was the best thing to come out of the first leg," he said. "I don't think they'll chase the game, that's not their style. I think they'll be patient and if needs be they'll take it to the last minute."

Bramble back
Goalkeeper Shay Given has a hip problem so Stephen Harper stands by, while defender Titus Bramble returns after hernia surgery and could come in for the suspended Aaron Hughes. Kieron Dyer should start after missing the Tottenham match with a hamstring strain, but manager Graeme Souness was giving nothing away, insisting only that Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United FC would not affect his selection.

'Slight advantage'
"I'm going to send out a team capable of winning the game and getting through to the semi-final of the UEFA Cup," he said. "We have a slight advantage but it's only slight and we have to finish the job now."