The Orificial s*ite have the following:

1: Shay Given 2: Warren Barton 3: Elena Marcelino 4: Didier Domi 5: Alain Goma 6: Steve Howey 7: Rob Lee 8: Kieron Dyer 9: Alan Shearer 10: Christian Bassedas 11: Gary Speed 12: Andy Griffin 13: Steve Harper 14: Temuri Ketsbaia 15: Nolberto Solano 16: Carl Cort 17: Daniel Cordone 18: Aaron Hughes 19: Stephen Glass 20: Duncan Ferguson 21: Diego Gavilan 22: Jamie McClen 23: 24: Garry Brady 25: Brian Kerr 26: James Coppinger 27: David Beharall 28: Paul Robinson 29: John Karelse 30: Steven Caldwell 31: Stuart Green 32: Kevin Gallacher 33: Des Hamilton 34: Nikos Dabizas 35: 36: Gary Caldwell 37: Laurent Charvet 38: Silvio Maric 39: David MacMahon 40: Carl Serrant

No number for Helder would perhaps indicate he's unlikely to figure?? Can't remember - what number did he wear last season?

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2000

Answers

aye Screach but there are free numbers. I have to say, I would love it if we got some real surprises with some players coming good this season, we're are due our seasonal one or two. Dabs last season, Speed before that.....what about Des?

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2000

Helder looks like he will only come to Newcastle if DEPORTIVO la couna give a million or two in part ex for narthelino, in which case Iwould presume that he would take the number 3 shirt. Personally I cant see the point in the likes of Gavilan and Glass changing their numbers.

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2000

Is YBY thinking of selling? So, Marcellino = 3 ?!? "I rate him so buy him".

Is that our defense line up? - Barton, Marcelino, Domi, Howey? Nope - those numbers are basically Top trumps (or pokemon cards for out younbger readers)

It is a card game - keeping the high numbers close to your chest. i.e. Dabizas after Hamilton - What!!!!

10 Bassedas = interesting - YBR has just bought him & rates him

Who are Stuart Green and David MacMahon?

Just a few initial thoughts :@)

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2000

Chevy - squad numbers mean diddly-squat in terms of who will play. OK, maybe the lower numbers are more likely, tho not Dabs nor Gallacher. Even Big Yin has a #20 on his shirt so don't read much into them. SOme are based on superstitions (tho I'm yet to see a player named Hedge-Trimmer - Shearer being the nearest!).

In defence, we have Barton, Hughes, Howey, Dabizas, Goma, Marcelino, Griffin and Domi. Even Pilgrim could pick a decent combo out of them.

I saw Green play for the resorves last season and he looked useful in m/f but a bit light. I think MacMahon sells lottery tickets at halftime ;-))

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2000

Anyone heard any news as to why Marcellino is not on they States trip?

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2000

Sorry, just read in the Telegraph that he was not considered fit enough to play. His loss, I hope Goma makes a big impact on this tour.

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2000

Bugger me Marcy is a liability ... ill give yers all a run down on the players after the match .. fitness etc . think wor lass has got a link : - )

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2000

I'll have my laptop as well. :-)

Can I just say how completely EXCITED(!!!!) I am for these games? It never quite seemed real until seeing the announcement of the squad for the trip. Butterflies, nerves, you name it. 4 more days!!!!! :-D

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2000

Hmm, this is a bit weird. It looks like YBR has almost written the names down as they came to his head except Big Al.

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2000