1:09PM, Thu Oct 4, 2012

Europa League Preview: Newcastle Manager Alan Pardew And Gabriel Obertan Preview Bordeaux Clash

By Daniel Salisbury-Jones Location: Newcastle

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Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is expected to name a strong starting XI against Bordeaux, despite the match coming less than 72 hours before their clash with Manchester United.

The Magpies boss has previously been keen to give his fringe players a taste of the action in the Europa League so far, but will turn to more of his senior men against the Group D leaders.

Pardew is faced with a different challenge this season as he juggles domestic and continental duties, with Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils arriving at St James' Park on Sunday afternoon for the clash which is live on Sky Sports 1HD.

He said: "We managers tend to steer away from 'stronger' and 'weaker' teams because the squad has obviously got to be used this season.

"No-one analyses their players more than we do in terms of their performance physically, mentally and tactically, and we need to put a team out that can play and beat Bordeaux.

"With all due respect to the teams we have played in this European competition, the team for Thursday needs to be stronger. We respect Bordeaux and we are looking forward to playing against them - but we expect to win."

Team news

Full-back Danny Simpson returns to the Newcastle squad for the game against the French outfit.

The former Manchester United defender has been out since damaging a hamstring in the 1-1 Premier League draw with Aston Villa on 2nd September, but his return to fitness could hardly have been better-timed with Pardew facing a defensive crisis.

Central defender Steven Taylor damaged a calf muscle at Reading on Saturday and like Fabricio Coloccini (hamstring), is likely to miss this game and United's visit to Tyneside on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Tim Krul (elbow) remains on the sidelines, although midfielder Yohan Cabaye is available after recovering from a mouth infection.

Bordeaux coach Francis Gillot, whose side have lost six and drawn two of their European meetings with English clubs, has admitted he does not know which Newcastle team his side will face.

He said: "Newcastle essentially have two teams: they have a team that plays in the league, and then they have a team that plays in the League Cup and the Europa League, so it's very difficult for us to know which side they are going to name.

"It's very difficult, therefore, to explain to my players, how they are going to play tactically. That's why we are going to focus on ourselves."

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Barclays Premier League

Pos	Team	P	Pts
14	Southampton	38	41
15	Aston Villa	38	41
16	Newcastle United	38	41
17	Sunderland	38	39
18	Wigan Athletic	38	36

Fixtures & Results

April

Europa League Group D - Thu 4
FT	Benfica	3-1	Newcastle
Barclays Premier League - Sun 7
FT	Newcastle	1-0	Fulham
Europa League Group D - Thu 11
FT	Newcastle	1-1	Benfica
Barclays Premier League - Sun 14
FT	Newcastle	0-3	Sunderland
Barclays Premier League - Sat 20
FT	West Brom	1-1	Newcastle
Barclays Premier League - Sat 27
FT	Newcastle	0-6	Liverpool

May

Barclays Premier League - Sat 4
FT	West Ham	0-0	Newcastle
Barclays Premier League - Sun 12
FT	QPR	1-2	Newcastle
Barclays Premier League - Sun 19
FT	Newcastle	0-1	Arsenal