Downing hopes rise

Hopes are rising inside the Irons camp that Stewart Downing will join Chiekhou Kouyate in the squad for the clash against Newcastle at the weekend.

ClaretandHugh has learned that Downing has an outside chance of making it back after the England international debacle which has led the club into a confrontation with the Football Association.

We were told today that Downing was making decent progress and that there was a chance that he would be able to take some part in the game.

However, the news remain bleak on Enner Valencia, Alex Song and Diafra Sakho plus doubts reported earlier over Mark Noble.

We were told: Stewart has a chance. He’s the closest of the injured players but we won’t know anything for certain until just before kick off.