Intertoto Cup holders Newcastle United will hope to continue their good European form and progress into the last-sixteen of the UEFA Cup, by first attempting to gain an advantage in the opening away-leg at first-time opponents Zulte-Waregem.

This is the first time in the competition for the Belgian Cup winners, and they have done well to reach this stage in the competition, qualifying in third place from a group containing Espanyol, Ajax, Sparta Prague, and Austria Vienna. The tie has been relocated to the Jules Otten Stadium in Gent to accommodate the large number of fans hoping to see what is essentially Waregem’s cup final.

Meanwhile, the Magpies travel to Belgium having topped the so-called group of death also containing Fenerbache, Palermo, Celta Vigo and Eintracht Frankfurt, and must subsequently be the favourites to win over the two legs. However, considering this season’s inconsistencies, any Newcastle fan can tell you that this tie is unlikely to be straightforward.

» Squad

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

» Injuries and Suspensions

Celestine Babayaro was on the plane to Belgium, and is expected to figure once more despite the death of younger brother Kennedy last Friday. However, his former Chelsea team-mate Scott Parker was feeling some tightness in his hamstrings, so remained at home, as did the usual long-term casualties. New signing Oguchi Onyewu will not play as he is ineligible to play in the UEFA Cup this season.

For Waregem, Ludwin van Nieuwenhuyze is suspended, while former Magpie triallist Geert De Vlieger is doubtful. However, the Belgians will be boosted by the news that manager Francky Dury has recently stepped down from his job as a police detective to concentrate on managing his club on a full-time basis.

» Pre-Match Views

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder:

On his team selection:

“Nobody will be rested tomorrow night. I will be fielding the strongest line-up available to me and with no Premiership game to think about at the weekend, we can fully concentrate on the two legs of this UEFA Cup tie.

“It would be nice to leave Belgium with a positive result that will give us the platform to progress in the competition.”

On giving the captaincy to Nicky Butt:

“Nicky Butt will be captain. He has vast experience with Manchester United in Europe and he is having a wonderful season for us. He is a leader. He is out of the United school, that group of players, the Nevilles, Beckham, Scholes. Nicky will do a fine job for us. When I asked him, he was delighted.”

Zulte-Waregem boss Francky Dury:

On the tie:

“I asked the chairman if it would have been better to draw a smaller team in the Uefa Cup, but there wasn’t another Zulte-Waregem! It’s a new challenge and I promise we won’t let Belgian football down. We won’t go down without a fight.”

» 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

Although Zulte-Waregem should be highly motivated for this fixture, this is a team consisting of part-timers and Belgian journeymen. It would be a huge shock if a club of Newcastle’s calibre was to be eliminated from the competition by such a club, but I just cant see it happening as Newcastle have more than enough quality. I predict a 4-0 victory for the Magpies.

Howay the Lads!