By Matthew Jones
December 14 2002

We all know who we want to play today, but just who will Bobby pick? Robert, Given, Ameobi and LuaLua all deserve first team places, but with Shearer and Bellamy back, the two strikers who faces Barca look set for a benched role, while Bobby isn't too happy with Given's performances. Newcastle will opt for Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy in attack against Southampton on Saturday, with midweek scorer Shola Ameobi on the bench. Ameobi's reward for his man-of-the-match performance against Barcelona is just a place among the substitutes as the Magpies make the long trip to St Mary's.

With first-choice pair Shearer and Bellamy available again after their Champions League

However, Shola Ameobi has vowed to replace club legend Alan Shearer on a permanent basis when the Newcastle skipper eventually retires from playing. Ameobi deputised for Shearer to great effect in the Nou Camp on Wednesday in United's 3-1 Champions League defeat against Barcelona.

That means fellow strike Lomana LuaLua will also be among the subs at best, despite putting in a decent performance himself in the Nou Camp.
Those changes may not be the only ones made by Sir Bobby Robson as Newcastle bid to end a 30-year search for a win on the south coast.

Goalkeeper Shay Given is under pressure from understudy Steve Harper, with Robson not entirely happy with the Irishman's role in United's defeat against Barca. Not all his fault though if we remember Dyer's poor attempt to clear the ball.

Robson could bring Jermaine Jenas in and move Kieron Dyer out wide on the left against Saints.

The manager's other option is to recall Nikos Dabizas at centre-half, switch Aaron Hughes to left-back and push Olivier Bernard forward into midfield, at Robert's expense.