By Colin Young
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Newcastle United's young squad were left stranded by heavy snow for more than five hours at the city's airport as Alan Pardew's plans for his team's final Europa League qualifier suffered major disruption on Wednesday.
The Newcastle manager was forced to cancel his pre-match press conference in Bordeaux late on Wednesday night after his players were forced to sit in their plane on the runway for more than three hours.
Newcastle eventually arrived in the French port five hours later than anticipated, although they had made the decision last week to train at their own training ground in Tyneside before departure rather than at the Chaban-Delmas Stadium.
Delayed: Alan Pardew and his players trained in the heavy snow on Wednesday
Although Pardew and his opposite number Francis Gillot have taken independent decisions to field weakened teams, the delays are still a setback for the Newcastle manager who wanted a trouble-free journey to France for his younger players.
Striker Adam Campbell was among the squad members who tweeted from the departure lounge and then the Newcastle plane throughout Wednesday afternoon as more than five inches of snow hit the North East and forced the pilot to postpone departure.
Newcastle need to win on Thursday to top Group D, and perhaps avoid the bigger names dropping out of the Champions League. But Pardew has made no secret of his desire to blood his fringe players to face a Bordeaux side they defeated 3-0 at St James's Park in October.
One-time Academy striker Campbell, former Coventry City teenager Gael Bigirimana, youngsters James Tavernier and Shane Ferguson and striker Sammy Ameobi are among those expected to start.
There is also an unlikely recall for Nile Ranger.
Sammy Ameobi, the younger of the two brothers, has already grabbed his opportunity in the Europa League this season.
He was outstanding in the home and away legs against FC Bruges and the winger, who is likely to start with brother Shola, has relished his opportunity to shine in Europe. He says all the young players have to perform for Pardew.
How long? The young Newcastle side were stuck on the runway for three hours
Larking about: But the likes of James Tavernier took the time to have a laugh during training
NEWCASTLE'S POSSIBLE STARTING XI TO FACE BORDEAUX
Elliot; Simpson, Tavernier, Perch, Ferguson; Marveaux, Bigirimana, Amalfitano, Sammy Ameobi; Shola Ameobi, Ranger
Ameobi said: 'Growing up here as a Newcastle fan, I already kind of knew what was expected. It means that much more to me and I've only just come in. I'm hoping for better things now.
'Europe has been enjoyable. It's not the same as the Premier League but it's a tough competition and great for experience. We've played against different types of football and that sort of thing just pushes you on.
'We're through now but we want to go on and win the Group and get as far as we possibly can now.
'The young players are here for the long haul, in my opinion. When we were young kids we could make mistakes and no-one came down on us but now we're starting to learn that we have to affect games and be an effective part of the squad.'
Fun and games: The players seemed to be enjoying the snow
Fun and games: The players seemed to be enjoying the snow
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