NORTHERN Ireland winger Keith Gillespie has left Newcastle manager Kenny Dalglish with one major selection headache going into tonight's FA Cup replay with non-league Stevenage.

The fourth-round tie which is certain to draw a 30,000-plus gate to St James's Park might just come too soon for the United star after a training pitch injury sustained on Tuesday.

But, knowing the visitors' boss Paul Fairclough and his men are more worried about Gillespie than any other United star, Dalglish will be desperate to have his winger match fit.

"We have a problem with Keith and we will have to wait and see before deciding whether he has any chance of playing in the replay," said the Newcastle boss.

Gillespie's partnership with Alan Shearer has been one of the best things to come out of the last two United games, and certainly Borough would be happy if the Larne-born star were to miss the tie.

With Andreas Andersson unavailable, it is important Shearer is given the service which Gillespie can produce - even Barcelona found him difficult to handle when his mood was right.

Knowing how determined the whole Newcastle squad are to put Stevenage in their place it would be a blow, if not a major one, if the speedy right winger is out.

Stevenage manager Paul Fairclough will leave his team selection to the last possible minute following injuries to Giuliano Grazioli, who scored the equaliser in the first game and midfield anchorman Simon Stapleton.

Dean Wordsworth stands by to replace Grazioli while Darren Fenton could deputise for Stapleton, who is suffering from a sciatic problem affecting his hamstring and thigh yet managed to come through 45 minutes of a reserves match on Monday night.

Stuart Beaver also steps in for suspended midfielder Jason Solomon, while 18-year-old student James Dillnutt will continue at full-back in only his fifth game for the club as Warren Kirby is still banned.

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