Newcastle were threatened to be relegated from the top flight with hit by an injury crisis that could have catastrophic consequences for the club.
Alan Shearer's side go into their final match of the season, at Aston Villa on Sunday, needing to secure at least a point while hoping that a second-string Manchester United side is good enough to beat Hull, who kick off the final weekend in the last survival spot and with a one point edge over the Magpies.
With full-backs Habib Beye and Jose Enrique both very doubtful and centreback Sebastien Bassong suspended, Shearer could have only one member of his first-choice back four, Steven Taylor, available to contain a Villa side that is adept on the counter attack and still has a chance of finishing in fifth place.
Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel has warned Newcastle they will have to work extremely hard for what could be the most important victory in the club's history.
With West Brom already condemned to a return to the Championship, Newcastle are one of four clubs who will enter the final day in danger of filling the two other relegation places.
Of the four, Middlesbrough have the toughest task with Gareth Southgate's side obliged to win at West Ham, hope that champions United beat Hull by a big enough margin for them to make up a four-goal deficit in terms of goal difference.
Sunderland are the best-placed in terms of points but Ricky Sbragia's side have arguably the toughest final fixture with Chelsea, the visitors to the Stadium of Light, looking to sustain their recent form ahead of the following weekend's FA Cup final.
(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2009)
