DEFINITELY no Alan Shearer, definitely no Faustino Asprilla and almost definitely no Les Ferdinand. To say Newcastle United go into the first leg of the UEFA Cup quarter-final against Monaco at St James' Park tonight with a few problems up front is an understatement akin to Bryan Rob son's thinking that Middlesbrough are in a spot of bother just now.
As the trio of Shearer, Ferdinand and Asprilla are responsible for two of every three goals Newcastle have scored this season, and Asprilla in particular has been the club's inspiration in Europe, Newcastle are dramatically disadvantaged against high-class opponents.
One man's tweaked hamstring, however, is another man's opportunity and just as he did for the second half against Southampton on Saturday, David Ginola looks set to replace Ferdinand. If so it will represent something of a second bite at the French apple for Ginola, who flattered against his countryman from Metz in the last round, being substituted in the second leg. Tonight also has the appearance of being a defining moment in Ginola's Newcastle career.
"It's a big problem for us," he said of the striker shortage and when pushed about his own future at St James he added: "The manager will have to decide and I will respect his choice but if I am not part of the team then there comes a time when, maybe, you have to say bye bye. Maybe. I don't want to put pressure on the manager, but I never came to Newcastle to be a substitute."
Not that Kenny Dalglish is a man easily pressed into public comment about players or team formation and as usual Dalglish dead-batted all inquiries about selection. He would only say of Ginola: "Obviously he's a very talented player," but expanded no further.
Of Ferdinand's injury Dalglish said: "It doesn't look too promising. We'll just make do with what we've got." And the feeling at Newcastle is that not only will Ferdinand be absent tonight but that he might not even be fit for next Monday's game at Anfield.
With Peter Beardsley out of form and, seemingly, favour too, Ginola therefore could lead the attack and from the central position he has always coveted. Beardsley playing off Ginola must be a temptation though, and in such a scenario David Batty's return from suspension would mean Warren Barton or Lee Clark stepping down.
Dalglish conceded that whatever he does will have an element of chance because "sometimes situations force you to do things you would not otherwise do." But he did say he would not "confuse" his players, a statement that indicated Steve Watson will not be moving from right back to centre forward.
Judging by remarks made by Monaco's coaches, Jean Tigana and Jean-Luc Ettori after the Southampton game, they think Watson and his defensive colleagues could be confused already. Ettori said: "If we can get in behind them then the speed of our strikers will be our trump card. The Newcastle defence is compact but they are lacking pace. Southampton had plenty of chances, and I'm sure we will as well."
Tigana shared those views saying: "I'm sure the match is there for the taking." Theirs is a confidence born of impressive away victories over Hutnik of Cracow, Borussia Moenchengladbach (who knocked out Arsenal) and, in the last round, Hamburg (5-0 on aggregate). The fact that they are six points clear at the top of the French League also boosts morale.
All things considered a draw would not be a disastrous result for Newcastle although Dalglish, on his 46th birthday, will be hoping his new players cane present him with a first managerial victory in Europe. At Blackburn he drew and lost to Trelleborgs.
Despite what Dalglish says about still being in the Premiership race most people share the opinion of the man whose injury caused all of yesterday's speculation. Ferdinand told L'Equipe: "Realistically it is our last hope of winning a trophy this season so the tie is taking on greater importance for us. The pressure to do well in Europe is now greatly increased."
