Magpies name strong team to face Greeks (From The Advertiser Series)

Magpies name strong team to face Greeks

7:21pm Thursday 30th August 2012 in Sport By Paul Fraser, Chief Football Writer

ALAN PARDEW has taken few risks in his attempt to ensure Newcastle United make the group stage of the Europa League tonight.

The Magpies boss has named Fabricio Coloccini, Demba Ba, Danny Simpson and Tim Krul in his starting line-up to face Atromitos in the second leg of the final qualifying round at St James' Park.

Newcastle, with big hitters Yohan Cabaye and Papiss Cisse on the bench, are already nicely placed to progress after Ryan Taylor's away goal a week ago in Athens claimed a 1-1 draw.  

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-2-3-1): Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, R Taylor; Bigirimana, Perch; Obertan, Gosling, Marveaux; Ba. Subs (not used): Harper (gk), Cabaye, Cisse, Amalfitano, Vuckic, Tavernier, Campbell.

ATROMITOS (4-3-3): Itandje; Skondras, Giannoulis, Lazaridis, Fytanidis; Iglesias, Dimoutsos, Brito; Karamanos, Da Silva, Epstein. Subs (not used): Radman (gk), Tavlaridis, Garcia, Nastos, Kuqi, Beljic, Ballas.