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Lovenkrands set for Magpies bow
Newcastle United, 10:21, January 28, 2009 ,
Peter Lovenkrands could make his debut for Newcastle at Manchester City, but Nicky Butt is banned and Obafemi Martins is still injured.
The Magpies swooped to sign 28-year-old Denmark international winger, Lovenkrands, on a deal until the end of the season last week and he is all set to feature at Eastlands on Wednesday evening.
However boss Joe Kinnear is without the suspended Butt following his red card at Blackburn, while striker Martins is losing his battle for fitness as he attempts to make a comeback from hernia surgery
The big question will be who plays in goal as a start for Steve Harper, who signed a new three-year deal on Tuesday, could signal a possible move for number one Shay Given to City.
Alan Smith played for 65 minutes of the reserves' 3-0 defeat to City on Tuesday evening after a five-month lay-off due to an ankle injury, but the game at Eastlands will come too soon. However Geremi has recovered from a groin injury and could be called into the starting XI.
Sebastian Bassong is looking forward to the game after a break from action due to the Magpies being out of the FA Cup and he warned his team-mates to be wary of United old boy Craig Bellamy who will be making his City debut after joining from West Ham.
He said: "He is someone we know we have to watch closely on Wednesday night. We've had a break because we're out of the cup and that's been good. I think we needed the break as we had so many players injured.
"The preparations for the Manchester City game have been good and we go there confident we can achieve our ambitions.
"It's a big week for us, with two very important games [at City and home to Sunderland] and the transfer window [coming to a close]. These are two games that we can not afford to lose."