Mohamed Diame blow for Newcastle

The Newcastle United midfielders are both sidelined with ankle injuries and will sit out the Championship game at St James's Park.

Diame, signed from Hull City for £4.5million this summer, made his debut in the weekend's 2-1 defeat to Hull City, while unsettled Sissoko is yet to play for the club this season.

Asked about Sissoko, United manager Rafa Benitez said: "“He is fine, he knows the situation. He is training well.

"He got a knock on his ankle yesterday, so he was not training today, but in terms of his mentality, he is just a professional, training and waiting for news like everyone here."

Sissoko last week reiterated his intention to leave St James's Park this summer.