• Premier League

Ba could be out of Liverpool clash

ESPN staff
October 30, 2012
Demba Ba is a doubt for next week's action © Getty Images
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Newcastle United striker Demba Ba could be sidelined for Sunday's trip to Liverpool after suffering a leg injury in the 2-1 win over West Brom at the weeekend.

Ba, 27, was substituted in the second half of the match after scoring the opening goal which took his season tally in the Premier League to seven.

The Senegal forward has been in fantastic form for Newcastle throughout the opening nine games, buoyed by the stern competition for a starting spot.

He will have scans on his leg later this week and manager Alan Pardew has admitted he may struggle to regain fitness for Newcastle's clash with Liverpool.

"Demba appears to have a bit of a nerve problem," Pardew told Sky Sports. "It is not a major concern and I don't think it is an ongoing problem, but the major question is whether he can make next week."

Pardew is not short of options if Ba fails a fitness test, with Papiss Cisse, Shola Ameobi and Sammy Ameobi all potential threats to the Liverpool defence.

Cisse has been relatively quiet this season after a series of breakthrough performances earlier in the year.

It was Shola who started for Newcastle on Sunday, but the consistent performances of younger brother Sammy has impressed Pardew.

"Sammy looks to provide a little bit of a spark for us," Pardew said. "I was searching for some sort of lift for the team and I thought he was very positive for us. We changed the system a couple of times and he tried to create for us."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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