Toon take under-strength squad to Athens

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew headed for Greece on Wednesday morning having left some of his big guns behind.

Skipper Fabricio Coloccini, midfielder Cheick Tiote, strikers Demba Ba and Shola Ameobi and youngsters Shane Ferguson and Haris Vuckic were not due to be among the party which left Tyneside ahead of Thursday night's Europa League play-off first leg against Atromitos.

Coloccini missed Saturday's 2-1 Barclays Premier League victory over Tottenham after suffering a knock, while Ameobi was injured in the warm-up.

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