Magpies lose Bassong appeal

Newcastle will have to do without key defender Sebastien Bassong for their relegation crunch at Aston Villa on Sunday after the Frenchman failed in an appeal against the red card he received at the weekend.

The 22-year-old was sent off in the 1-0 defeat by Fulham after tangling with Diomansy Kamara and, because it was his second red card of the season, was automatically banned for two matches.

Newcastle go into their final match of the season knowing they must register a better result than Hull manage at home to Manchester United if they are to survive in the top flight.

If Hull take a point against United, Newcastle must win to retain their top flight status while a win for Hull would see Alan Shearer’s side relegated regardless of their own result.