VURNON ANITA is ready to step in and fill the void left by Yohan Cabaye when Newcastle United welcome Southampton to St James’ Park this weekend.

Cabaye will sit out the game after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in last Saturday’s win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

And Magpies boss Alan Pardew is likely to turn to Anita to fill in the Frenchman’s shoes.

The Dutch midfielder has been a victim of Newcastle’s good form and has struggled to nail down a regular place in the starting XI.

Anita has earned praise when he has played and he could be given the chance to impress further alongside Cheik Tiote in the Magpies’ midfield on Saturday.

Meanwhile, young Magpies striker Adam Campbell is a loan target of Scottish club St Mirren.

Campbell has endured a frustrating season after a spell at Carlisle United was cut short.

Since then, the 18-year-old has had to contend with playing in the Magpies’ development team, but Pardew is keen for the North Shields striker to gain more first team experience.

St Mirren expressed an interest in taking Campbell on loan in the summer.

Now, though, it appears Campbell will finally get his move when the transfer window opens in January.

Magpies defender Conor Newton is already on loan at the Paisley club, while Paul Dummett also benefited from a loan spell with the Scottish Premier League outfit.