NUFC currently sit in 6th and just a point off 4th place in the Premier League.

Roeder, who managed a side competing in the UEFA Cup (through Intertoto Cup qualification) back in 2006 is hopeful that Alan Pardew’s men can qualify for Europe again, for the fans.

He told the Chronicle:

“It [European football] is the very least the fans deserve.”

“They deserve to be in Europe every season. I’ve always emphasised that the greatness of the club can only be spoken about because of the greatness of the supporters.”

“They’ve had more downs than ups, but this is on an upward curve at the moment.”

“There is so much to be positive about.”

Roeder’s personal prediction is a top 7 finish which is more than likely looking at the run-in.

He continued:

“I can’t see them [Newcastle] finishing outside the top seven.”

“And if that did happen it would be a disappointment, but it would still have been a magnificent season given the talk of doom and gloom at the start.”

The home game against Norwich and away game at Swansea will be live on Sky.

The changes mean that SIX of NUFC’s next SEVEN games will be on TV in the UK.

The details are as follows:

• Newcastle v Norwich – Sunday 18th March – 4pm KO – SKY
• Swansea v Newcastle – Friday 6th April – 4.30pm KO – SKY

The other games on TV are as follows:

• Newcastle v Sunderland – Sun 4th March – 1200 – ESPN
• Arsenal v Newcastle – Mon 12th March – 2000 – Sky
• WBA v Newcastle – Sun 25th March – 1600 – Sky
• Newcastle v Liverpool – Sun 1st April – 1330 – Sky

The Norwich game was on Sat 17th March and Swansea Sat 7th April before the changes.

An Early day Motion put forward at Westminster condemns the decision to rename the stadium and urges Mike Ashley to reconsider. The Motion has been supported by local MPs including Dennis Skinner and carries 12 signatures.

Here’s how it reads:

Newcastle United and the renaming of St James’ Park

That this House deeply regrets the decision to rebrand the historic home of Newcastle United Football Club, St James’ Park; condemns the corporate vandalism perpetrated by the clubs owners in removing the name “St James’ Park” from the stadium; warmly endorses the now famous front page banner headline of the local Evening Chronicle ‘St James’ Park and Always Will Be’; notes that the Chief Executive of Newcastle’s new shirt sponsor, Virgin Money has added her concerns about the rebranding and hopes that others will follow her example; notes that Newcastle City Council have debated and agreed a motion stating that the Council have no plans to change any way-finding signs which bear the name St James’ Park, rather than the name of Mike Ashley’s business; and urges Mike Ashley the owner of Newcastle United to reconsider his decision.

The SJP sign was removed last Thursday. The club maintains that the name change to Sports Direct Arena is a commercial decision and Sports Direct will remain sponsor until a new party is found.

Newcastle City Council has also stood firmly against the rebranding of the historical site.

The Frenchman returns to the side after serving a 3-match ban for violent conduct in the FA Cup game at Brighton.

NUFC face Wolves at home this coming weekend, before taking on local rivals 5under1and at SJP on 4th March.

Ahead of the games, the former Lille man is confident.

He told NUFC.co.uk:

“It is important to win at home – that is it. We know the two next games are very difficult, but at home I think we can beat every team if our spirit is good and if we want to compete.”

Focusing specifically on the game against a manager-less Wolves, Cabaye said the lads cannot underestimate the struggling visitors.

He continued:

“We won the game down there [Molineux] but it was very difficult. I remember we played well in the first half and were two up at half-time, but in the second half they made things very difficult for us.”

“No game in the Premier League is easy”

The magpies will be hoping to complete their second double of the season with a win on Saturday.

A few of the nationals and NE press report on yesterday’s media day at the Newcastle United Academy. Manager Joe Joyce was the centre of attraction, outlining the club’s vision for youth investment. NUFC will be looking to gain Category 1 status among academies so they bring in players from anywhere in the world. “If we can provide an appropriate education programme, technical programme, appropriate accommodation, then we could take a player from anywhere in England.” Joyce said.

The NUFC Official website carries information about loaned out stars Alan Smith and James Tavernier. Both played the full 90 minutes as MK Dons beat Bury 2-1.

And finally, the Daily Star just can’t get enough of Demba Ba. The paper is once again carrying a story about Newcastle potentially losing the 26 year old for just £3.5m this summer. It follows a week of speculation after comments from David Sullivan about the striker.

The Ivorian has returned from a disappointing African Cup of Nations, but the midfielder is keen to put that behind him.

In an interview with nufc.co.uk, Tiote said the future is about Newcastle United.

He said:

“It has been great to see my friends and to be back in Newcastle. Now I have to think about Newcastle, because the tournament with my national team is finished now.”

“I have to do my job for the team and for the fans, and I think we have a possibility to win on Saturday [vs. Wolves].”

Tiote scored in the penalty shoot out that decided the African Cup of Nations final against Zambia, taking the responsibility of the first penalty.

He continued:

“Normally I never take penalties, but I took the responsibility to take a penalty because it was difficult for other players to take the first penalty. So I took the responsibility to take the first penalty and I scored, which gave confidence to my team-mates.”

“Although we did well in the competition, in the final we were unlucky in the penalty shoot out and lost the game. That’s football – you cannot win every time, so I will look to the next game ahead and stay positive.”

Both Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye will be available for selection for the game against Wolves, as Newcastle will look to bounce back from the 5-0 defeat to Tottenham.

The Shields Gazzette has been told by a source close to the London club that Harry Redknapp has made Krul his number one target for the summer.

Any move would be dependent on Harry Redknapp remaining Tottenham manager, and he is keen to bring in some younger talent between the sticks to battle for the No.1 jersey with 40 year old Brad Friedal and 38 year old Carlo Cudicini.

Krul has 2 years remaining on his contract, but is due a pay rise due to his excellent for this season.

Newcastle are currently 6th in the Premier League, and are facing consecutive home games against Wolves and Sunderland.

In a conversation with the Evening Chronicle, Beresford commented on the season so far:

“I feared for them a little bit at the start of the season, and to be honest, nobody could have expected the club to be where it is now,”

“Not even fortune-tellers would have said they’d be in this position. Alan Pardew’s done brilliantly – it’s been a fairytale.”

Beresford went on to discuss is hopes for Newcastle in the remaining 13 games:

“They’ve just got to finish it off, and make sure this season doesn’t peter out. They had a wake up-call (losing 5-0 in their last game), but Spurs can do that to anybody. I think Wolves at home’s a brilliant game to have coming up. The manager’s gone, and I’m expecting Newcastle to get back to winning ways. They must now finish it off.”

John Beresford amassed 232 appearances in the black and white shirt, most notably being a member of Kevin Keegan’s entertainers, when Newcastle first gained promotion to the Premier League.

Haris Vuckic – The current Cardiff City loanee will be hoping to earn his first full international cap for Slovenia when they take on Scotland at Bonifika Stadion, Koper. Haris has been called up to the senior squad once before but is yet to make his debut. He has previously made four appearances at under 21 level. Slovenia’s last game ended in a 3-2 friendly defeat against U.S.A.

Yohan Cabaye – France travel to Germany for what is expected to be an exciting game. Cabaye will be hoping to make his 10th appearances for Les Bleus, his last game for his nation was the dull 0-0 draw against Belgium on November 15th 2011, he played the full 90 minutes.

Papiss Demba Cisse – Senegal take on South Africa in Durban. Cisse’s last international appearance was in Senegal’s 2-1 loss to Libya, that was the third and final game of their miserable African Cup of Nations last month.

Tim Krul – The Netherlands take on an England team at Wembley stadium which will be managed by former NUFC player Stuart Pearce. Krul’s last appearance in a Holland kit was their 1-1 draw with Uruguay last June, the game went to penalties which the Flying Dutchmen lost 4-3.

Shane Ferguson – The Derry-born 20-year-old will be seeking only his second cap as Northern Ireland take on Norway at Windsor Park. Ferguson, who has made two appearances for NUFC this season, made his debut against Italy in July 2009.

David Santon – The former Internazionale full-back has been left out of Italy’s senior squad but he does link up with the under 21’s side as they travel to Cannes to take on France. Santon has represented Italy 7 times but could make his 16th under 21 appearance against Les Tricolores.

Tamas Kadar – NUFC’s No. 45, who turns 21 next month, links up with the senior Hungary squad as they play host to Bulgaria. Kadar’s last senior call-up ended in an emphatic 5-0 win against Liechtenstein last November.

Joan Edmundsson – The 20-year-old who was training with a Championship club last week will link up with the Faroe Islands squad as they travel to a training camp in La Manga, they have no game scheduled.

Moncur has been impressed by the duo’s performances in recent weeks, however, he is happy to see Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye return for selection.

He told the Chronicle:

“It’s great that Tiote and Cabaye are back.

“But I think it’s unfair to say that United have missed them badly.

“Most of the results while they’ve been out have been good, and Danny Guthrie and James Perch were tremendous against Blackburn and Aston Villa.

“Tiote and Cabaye are probably first-choice when they’re available, they’re key players.”

Moncur, who won the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup with NUFC, did concede that Guthrie and Perch were out of their depth against Tottenham, he added:

“Against a top, top side like Tottenham, you can probably get away with being without one. Two is a different matter.

“But you can’t blame Guthrie and Perch, that was just one of those days.

“They’re important parts of the squad and it would be disrespectful to them to suggest that United have struggled without the so-called bigger names.”

Bob Moncur made 296 appearances in all competitions for Newcastle between 1962 and 1974.