Nile Ranger to start for Newcastle United

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has confirmed that he will hand Nile Ranger a rare start in Thursday's Europa League clash with Bordeaux in France.

The striker has made only one appearance for the Magpies this season following disciplinary problems off the pitch.

"Nile will start," Pardew told reporters. "I think he's probably the story of the last two or three months in terms of a positive.

"He's been out of the papers, he's been on time for the last eight to 10 weeks and he's put in application on the training ground."

Newastle, who are already through to the next round of the Europa League, currently sit one point behind leaders Bordeaux in Group D.