Xisco has been named in the Newcastle squad to face Club Bruges

Forgotten Newcastle man Xisco is a surprise inclusion in Alan Pardew's Magpies squad to take on Club Bruges in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.

Direction

Pardew added: "We have tried to give him some direction and some hope that he can forward his career. "He is a well-liked player in the group." Xisco was part of a 20-man party which arrived in Flanders on Wednesday afternoon, as were skipper Fabricio Coloccini and Cheick Tiote, who will play as they are suspended for Sunday's Premier League clash with West Ham. The Argentinian will begin a three-match ban at the weekend after being sent off for an ugly challenge on Liverpool's Luis Suarez which drew concerted criticism from some quarters. Pardew was swift to defend his captain after the game, and was still firmly in his corner as he conducted his pre-match press conference at the Jan Breydel Stadion this evening. He said: "I am not bothered about anybody else's criticism. In my book, he is a fantastic captain and a player who has carried the mantle of captain here with great honour. "One tackle mistimed, whether you think intentional or not - some angles suggest that it isn't, actually, in my view - should not stain what has been a fantastic period for him. "That's why he is back in the Argentina squad too."