Magpies travel to Dagestan to take on Russian Premier League opponents.
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Team News
Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse is out of Thursday’s Europa League last 16 first leg match at Anzhi Makhachkala.
Cisse did not travel to Russia because of a virus, meaning Shola Ameobi had to be drafted into the squad.
“I didn’t have any intention of bringing Shola,” said Newcastle manager Alan Pardew. “[The Luzhniki Stadium] is a surface that he’s been advised in the past not really to play on.”
Defender Fabricio Coloccini (back) also stayed in Newcastle.
Winger Hatem Ben Arfa is in Russia and Pardew is hopeful he will play some part on Thursday.
Predicted Line-Ups
Anzhi
Gabulov
Eshchenko • João Carlos • Ewerton • Zhirkov
Akhmedov • Diarra
Boussoufa • Jucilei • Willian
Eto’o
Newcastle United
Elliot
Perch • Taylor • Yanga-Mbiwa • Santon
Anita • Cabaye
Marveaux • Sissoko • Gutiérrez
Shola Ameobi
STATS
Newcastle have faced Anzhi star Samuel Eto’o in European competition before, the Cameroonian was part of the Real Mallorca side that suffered a 7-1 aggregate Uefa Cup loss to the Magpies in 2004.
Shola Ameobi played in the second leg of that tie and will move level with Alan Shearer on 38 European appearances for Newcastle if the plays in both legs of this tie.
The Magpies have beaten a Guus Hiddink side in the past, as they overcame PSV Eindhoven over two legs in the quarter-finals of the 2003-04 Uefa Cup before losing to Marseille in the next round.
Anzhi have won all seven of their Europa League home games this season, scoring 12 times and conceding just once.
Hiddink’s side have only lost twice in their domestic league this term, with defeats against Rubin Kazan and CSKA Moscow both coming away from home.
This tie marks the first time that Newcastle have faced Russian opposition in European competition.
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