Toon Players Happy To Get Away From St James' Park?

However, as well as the furore surrounding Kevin Keegan's departure and Mike Ashley's subsequent decision to sell, Newcastle are having to contend with an injury list which includes Mark Viduka, Jonas Gutierrez, Alan Smith, Jose Enrique, Habib Beye and Andy Carroll, as well as the absence of Joey Barton and Danny Guthrie through suspension.

In that context, the presence of senior players such as Owen, Nicky Butt and goalkeeper Shay Given in the squad could prove invaluable with the odds stacked against the Magpies.

But a major boost is that West Ham will be without Dean Ashton for Saturday's Premier League fixture after the striker suffered an ankle injury in training earlier in the week.

Fellow forward Craig Bellamy is a doubt ahead of Gianfranco Zola's debut in English management because of a hamstring and groin problem.

Midfielder Kieron Dyer remains on the comeback trail following the broken leg he suffered last season.