Carroll, Taylor out of derby

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has been dealt a double injury blow with Andy Carroll and Steven Taylor both ruled out of the clash with Sunderland.

Carroll has failed to recover from a thigh problem while Taylor has been hit with hamstring trouble.

Pardew was eager to have his two local heroes in the starting line-up for this weekend’s Tyne-Wear derby but has been forced to rejig his side.

And with Cheik Tiote also banned for the game after a red card against Stevenage in the FA Cup last week, United will have to make several changes.

“It’s devastating for Andy because it was a game he really wanted to play in but he is out of the game with Sunderland,” Pardew said on Friday.

The recently appointed United manager must also wait for the results of a late fitness test on Shola Ameobi but defender Jose Enrique has recovered from flu and Jonas Gutierrez returns after a dead leg.

Pardew said: “Training has been very good since Tuesday and I have been happy with it. Morale has been fine. It was disappointing to be knocked out of the Cup at Stevenage, but all we are focusing on is Sunday and what we can achieve in the game, nothing else.”

Pardew has been in the hunt for Jay Bothroyd in the January transfer window, with the Cardiff City striker unable to agree a new contract with the Bluebirds.

Negotiations are still ongoing between the two clubs regarding a fee for the player, whose contract will be up in the summer.

“We are obviously trying to get players in but that will not be in time for Sunday,” a guarded Pardew said.Meanwhile, former Sunderland star Danny Simpson is set for a rough ride from the Sunderland fans but the former Manchester United man is looking forward to the game.

He said: “I am looking forward to it. I have a lot of friends at Sunderland and I have said that before. If I take some stick from their fans then I will relish that.”

“Hopefully, we can do well and beat them like last time we met.”