ALAN PARDEW may turn to Mehdi Abeid to provide the solution to an injury and suspension conundrum which has plagued Newcastle.

The Magpies welcome Swansea City to St James' Park on Saturday, a week after losing 4-2 at Norwich with a depleted squad.

While Fabricio Coloccini may return at the weekend, Pardew is missing Steven Taylor, Danny Guthrie, Cheik Tiote, and Dan Gosling received a three-match suspension for his dismissal at Carrow Road.

Alan Smith is tipped to be involved, but summer signing Abeid is more than ready should Pardew call on him to provide the bite in midfield sorely missing on Saturday.

He said: "I hope my chance comes soon - I really want to play for this team. I'll wait for my chance, and when I get it, I hope to do well and show what I can do. I hope to do a lot for this club."

Abeid signed from Ligue One side Lens in the summer, with the 19-year-old considered one for the future. However, his performances in the reserves have impressed Pardew and his coaching team, and the Frenchman's chance may come sooner rather than later.

He added: "I train every day here to get a chance with the first team. Every day I try to show what I can do, and what I can give to the team in the future."