By Matthew Jones
December 3 2004

Alan Shearer, Andy O'Brien, Stephen Carr and Nicky Butt are all out of this weekend's clash with top of the table Chelsea, but Robbie Elliott and Ronny Johnsen will both return. It will be a tough test for the Magpies, but manager Graeme Souness is fairly confident. SOUNESS:

"We've been playing well in the last few games.

"We haven't got anywhere near as many points as we should have, but our general play is good.

"We're playing a team on Saturday who are at the top of their game, and we're going into the lion's den. But we won't be going there with any fear.

"We played them in the Carling Cup recently and on another night we could have won that game. There wasn't a lot wrong with our performance that night. We will continue to play our football and hope that lady luck shines on us."

Speaking on the injury front, Souness added:

"We won't risk Alan Shearer, Stephen Carr or Andy O'Brien, while Nicky Butt has some tendinitis in his hamstring and will be missing for about three or four weeks.

"I would say they are medium term injuries rather than long term ones, but we'll have to get on with it.

"On the positive side, Ronny Johnsen and Robbie Elliott have both trained this week without any problems and they'll be back in the squad."

MATCH PREVIEWS:

- Goal.com: Chelsea vs Newcastle Preview
- FootyMAD Chelsea Preview