Having taken a 3-1 advantage in the away leg against Zulte-Waregem, Newcastle United will be expected to consolidate the scoreline at St. James’ Park tonight with another favourable result. However, having suffered a 1-5 defeat at the hands of Birmingham City this season, the Magpies will know not to take anything for granted.

Waregem struggled with the pace of Martins and Dyer in the first leg, and gave Sibierski a chance to show his skill with the Frenchman scoring a sublime goal. Martins had also scored a penalty, while Dyer had assisted the own goal by Sibierski’s best man, Frederic Dindeleux. Subsequently, last weeks performance can be described as very comfortable, giving fans a reason to be optimistic.

Looking forward, AZ Alkmaar or Fenerbache await the winners of this tie, and the Black and White Army will be immensely disappointed if they do not find themselves with a trip to either Holland or Istanbul to look forward to.

» Squad

Newcastle (from): Harper, Srnicek, Forster, Solano, Babayaro, Edgar, Taylor, Bramble, Huntington, Butt, Parker, Milner, Duff, Pattison, Troisi, Martins, Dyer, Sibierski, Luque, Carroll, LuaLua.

» Injuries and Suspensions

Captain Scott Parker would have probably been declared fit had this been a league game, but with one eye on Sunday’s game against Wigan, he is likely to be kept on the bench, with Roeder sticking with the same line-up. Onyewu is ineligible once more, but the Magpies can look forward to having a stronger squad in the near future, as Shay Given, Craig Moore, Peter Ramage, Charles N’Zogbia, and Stephen Carr are all likely to return within the next ten days.

However, James Milner must be careful, as another booking in the UEFA Cup will see him suspended for one game.

It is being reported that Waregem have given up on the UEFA Cup, and will rest several senior players in order to concentrate on improving their poor league form.

» Pre-Match Views

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder:

Nolberto Solano
On Nobby Solano making his 300th appearance for Newcastle United:

“Ever since I took over as caretaker boss last February, Nobby Solano has always played to the highest level.

“He has been a terrific servant to this football club and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him.”

Zulte-Waregem boss Francky Dury:

On his side’s chances:

“It is the end of the road for us. One more round is not possible. This is the maximum. We have known for a few weeks or a few months that Newcastle are a good team, and we found that out at home. We are not just here to enjoy the stadium and the crowd. We have dreamt of reaching the last 16, but I do not think it is going to happen.”

» Predicted Lineup

Steve Harper

Nolberto Solano
Titus Bramble
Steven Taylor
Celestine Babayaro

James Milner
Kieron Dyer
Nicky Butt
Damien Duff

Obafemi Martins
Antoine Sibierski

» Prediction
With the home crowd behind them, it is difficult to see Newcastle playing any worse than they did in the first leg. However, with the Magpies fully in control, it can be expected that the club will have one eye on the game against Wigan on Sunday, and subsequently, the score could be anything between a 0-0 draw and a 5-0 win, but will qualify regardless.

Howay the Lads!