TEENAGE striker Adam Armstrong has been drafted into the Newcastle United squad for this evening’s Premier League trip to Norwich City.

Armstrong, who turns 17 in a fortnight’s time, has been elevated to the senior set up after impressing for the Magpies’ academy side this season.

The youngster, who joined Newcastle as a nine-year-old and is a former pupil at Walbottle Campus Technology College, scored five goals in his first five Barclays Under-21 Premier League matches this term, and netted in last week’s FA Youth Cup win over Sunderland.

“I’ve included Armstrong in the squad,” said Magpies manager Alan Pardew. “He’s done terrifically well. He’s a local boy, and I’ve taken him away from England to take him to Norwich.

“There are a couple of little knocks, but he definitely deserves to be in the squad anyway. That backs up our policy of trying to get kids from the area into our team, and I hope it gives everyone in the academy a boost.”

Mathieu Debuchy is available this evening after completing the three-match suspension that was imposed following his dismissal at West Brom, while Hatem Ben Arfa could be promoted to the starting line-up if Yohan Cabaye is omitted as a result of his ongoing discussions with Paris St Germain.

Fabricio Coloccini remains sidelined with a knee injury, but the skipper has been pencilled in for a possible return against Tottenham on February 12.

* Newcastle’s home game with Everton has been put back 24 hours for live television coverage and will now take place on Sunday, March 9 (ko 4pm).