Lomana LuaLua’s visa didn’t arrive in time for him to make the journey while both Clarence Acuna and Hugo Viana pulled out of the trip at the last minute because of injury niggles.
Then to add to the problems Darren Ambrose was called into the squad, except he’d left his mobile phone at home and didn’t find out about his promotion in time to make the flight.
But all this was good news for Robbie Elliott, who presumably had his phone switched on and his bags packed just in case, as he was called into the squad at the last minute.
If Elliott does play he will get the chance to wear the club’s new silver European away kit, which is being used for the first time in the game.
The match is being shown live on Sentana Sports 2 on Sky Digital channel 436, but it will cost you £7.99 to watch it and if you’ve got cable you won’t be able to receive it.
Full squad: Ameobi, Bellamy, Bernard, Bramble, Caig, S.Caldwell, Chopra, Cort, Dyer, Elliott, Given, Griffin, Harper, Hughes, Jenas, O'Brien, Robert, Shearer, Solano, Speed, Woodgate. **
** Lee Bowyer misses the game as he through suspension.