Europa League preview: Newcastle - Anzhi Makhachkala

Newcastle have recovered from a disappointing slump of their Premier League campaign and managed to climb to the mid-table safety not least of all thanks to the impact made by their new signings. At the moment Alan Pardew has given up on finishing in the top-half of table and decided to concentrate on Europa League. As a result he is expected to field all his big guns against Anzhi Makhachkala.

Newcastle team news:

First-choice goalkeeper Tim Krul remains sidelined with an ankle injury, with Rob Elliot taking his place between the sticks. Fabricio Coloccini is also set to miss the game because of back injury, while Hatem Ben Arfa could make yet another start in the first XI.

Anzhi team news:

Anzhi boast a clean bill of health. Guus Hiddink is facing a difficult choice up front where he may opt to team up Eto’o with Willian and Lacina Traore.