Newcastle v Barnsley preview

Injuries to force Allardyce's hand

By Mark Buckingham   Last updated: 29th August 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Newcastle v Barnsley preview

Owen: Set to start

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Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi are due to start up front for Newcastle United's Carling Cup tie with Barnsley.

Sam Allardyce is looking for a sustained run in the competition and will welcome No.1 striker Owen back into the starting line-up.

Owen has only featured as a substitute for the club so far this season, but is due to partner Ameobi in attack.

That will give Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins a break, although injuries are also forcing Allardyce's hand.

Shay Given, Joey Barton and Damien Duff remain sidelined, while the defence picked up two injuries in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough.

Start for Cacapa

Stephen Carr and Peter Ramage were both forced off at The Riverside and will be missing for the visit of Barnsley.

Recent signing Claudio Cacapa will get his first start for Newcastle at centre-half, while Spanish full-back Jose Enrique is due to make his debut.

Turkish midfielder Emre Belozoglu is also in contention to make his first appearance of the season as The Magpies aim to avoid an upset.

Simon Davey insists his Barnsley side are heading up to St James' Park with a gameplan to win the second round tie.

The Championship club will be without new signing Stephen Foster, who played against Grimsby Town for Burnley in the first round.

Loan signing Anderson is also not eligible to play, while Istvan Ferenczi, Kayode Odejayi and Andy Johnson are carrying knocks.