If West Ham United do not exercise their £17m option on the former Newcastle number 9, rumors are that Liverpool are suggesting an Andy Carroll/Hatem Ben Arfa swap. Is this as bad an idea as it sounds on the surface?

Two missed opportunities and two defensive miscues turned the first leg of the Europa League Quarterfinal between Benfica and Newcastle into a bloodbath.

Newcastle take on Benfica in Portugal in the Europa League Quarterfinal. After today, the Toon will have played more European matches at the Stadium of Light than the mackems.

On the heels of the limp showing against Manchester City on Saturday, Alan Pardew and his Newcastle United side will be looking to show that it was worth suffering the 4-0 reverse. These are the players who will try to make it so.

This week's results saw Newcastle drop to 15th place. Are they destined for a great fall?

Newcastle bring an ailing lineup to the Etihad. Can they steal a result?

Newcastle are six points clear of the relegation zone with eight matches left to play. That's not as bad as it sounds.

Yohan Cabaye will miss France's next match with Georgia due to suspension. Meanwhile, Moussa Sissoko, Cheik Tiote, and Papiss Cisse all featured for their respective nations. Most importantly: Nobody was hurt.

Fears that young left back Massadio Haïdara would face a lengthy spell on the sidelines following Callum McManaman's "clean" tackle have been allayed with the announcement of the scan results by the club. Fears that The FA will not change survive.

The Football Association has decided not to punish Wigan striker Callum McManaman for his tackle on Massadio Haidara that saw the Newcastle defender stretchered off.