Newcastle face defensive shortage

Mixed fortunes
Centre-back Titus Bramble could be out for up to six weeks with a groin injury sustained in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final win against Tottenham Hotspur FC - Newcastle's seventh straight victory. Patrick Kluivert, who scored the only goal, suffered a thigh strain and is doubtful for the visit of the Alpha Ethniki leaders.

Shearer determination
However, defenders Andy O'Brien and Steven Taylor should return from injury for Newcastle, who reached the semi-finals of this competition last season. "We have one foot in the quarter-finals," said Alan Shearer, the 34-year-old former England striker who is planning to retire in the summer. "Now is the time for everybody to stand up and be counted."

Defensive problems
Bramble's absence gives manager Graeme Souness a particular problem because he already has Celestine Babayaro and Robbie Elliott on the casualty list and Jean-Alain Boumsong ineligible. "Titus will need an operation which is a big blow because he has been outstanding for us," said Souness. "He's a young man, so if he heals quickly he could be back in four weeks. If slower, then six weeks."

Home draw
Olympiacos were held 1-1 at home by AEK Athens FC in Sunday's capital derby, a fixture played at an empty Georgios Karaiskakis stadium as punishment for crowd trouble at last month's game against Ergotelis FC. Looking forward to the St James' Park fixture, coach Dušan Bajevic said: "It will be very difficult to overturn the result of the first leg and qualify but we will give it our best shot."

Rivaldo out
An ankle injury has prevented Brazilian playmaker Rivaldo from travelling, and Bajevic is also deprived of Grigorios Georgatos and Athanasios Kostoulas who were sent off a week ago. "We have the players to fill the gap created by their absences," added the coach, who is likely to call on full-back Anastasios Pantos and centre-half Spyridon Vallas as replacements. Meanwhile, forward Giovanni faces a late fitness test after undergoing treatment for back pains.