RITCHIE IS GIVEN INJURY OK

NEWCASTLE midfielder Matt Ritchie has won his battle to be fit for Saturday’s clash with Huddersfield.

Ritchie, who withdrew from the Scotland squad at the weekend through injury, was back in training yesterday after being assessed by the Toon’s medical staff.

He played 87 minutes of Scotland’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Costa Rica on Friday, but returned to the north east before Tuesday’s 1-0 win in Hungary because of what was thought to be a groin problem.

Ritchie has scored in two of his last three Magpies games, including a winner against Manchester United, and is a key man for Rafa Benitez.

Toon are 13th in the table, but only four points above the drop zone.