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Newcastle will begin life without striker Demba Ba and midfielder Cheick Tiote in Saturday's FA Cup third round clash with Blackburn. The pair will be missing for several weeks after heading off on African Nations Cup duty with Senegal and the Ivory Coast respectively. The game will come too soon for midfielder Danny Guthrie, who is expected to return to training after a groin injury on Monday, while Peter Lovenkrands (calf), Steven Taylor (Achilles) and Sylvain Marveaux (groin) remain on the sidelines. | |||||
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Martin Olsson is available for Blackburn after the full-back recovered from a thigh strain. Central defender Gael Givet will also travel after being given the all-clear following a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat. Winger Junior Hoilett (hamstring) is doubtful while centre-back Scott Dann is still short of match fitness and will miss out. | |||||