Alan Pardew bemoans injuries

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has expressed his frustration after two of his players picked up injuries in tonight's Europa League match.

Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse both picked up knocks in the 1-1 draw with Maritimo, ruling the former out of this weekend's Premier League outing.

"We are getting blow after blow at the moment. Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse both got injured tonight," BBC Sport quotes Pardew as saying.

"We will have to wait and see about Papiss but Hatem will be missing on Sunday. Hatem is a good player but isn't everything to this club. I don't know how long he will be out.

"Papiss got a kick on the thigh. We thought he might stiffen up over half-time and he did. He possibly has a chance for Sunday."

This evening's result was enough to fire the Magpies through to last 32 of the competition with one group match left to play.