ALAN Pardew claims Xisco still has a future at Newcastle United after the Spanish misfit was handed a surprise promotion to the squad for this evening's Europa League game at Club Brugge.

Xisco was part of the 20-man party that flew to Belgium yesterday, and while he is unlikely to play a part in the Magpies' fourth Group D game, the fact he travelled at all suggests his lengthy spell in the wilderness is closer to coming to an end.

The 26-year-old's last involvement with Newcastle's first team came in August 2010 and while he has subsequently had three spells at Spanish sides Deportivo La Coruna and Racing Santander, he returned to Tyneside in the summer.

Synonymous with Dennis Wise's failed spell as executive director, he scored a hat-trick for Newcastle's development team last month and Pardew is keen to make him feel like a member of the senior squad again.

“He's worked hard and we feel he's contributed to the group, therefore we've included him on this trip,” said the Newcastle boss. “Hopefully, the future for Xisco is a return to playing. Like all players, he wants to play.

“He hasn't really done anything wrong apart from not reach the level of the first team since he's been here. I've tried to give him some direction and hope that he can forward his career. He's a well-liked player in the group.

“I don't know how much pain he's gone through because I haven't really sat down and gone through that. My purpose at this football club is to try to get the best out of every individual and I'm trying to do that with him.

“I'm still not sure whether he's going to be involved but I wanted to bring him back into the group so he felt part of it. He causes us no problems and gets on with his work, and we're trying to help him.”

Mehdi Abeid, another forgotten man this season, was also on the flight to Belgium, but while Danny Simpson, Jonas Gutierrez, Hatem Ben Arfa and Demba Ba have remained on Tyneside, tonight's starting line-up should still be reasonably strong.

Shola and Sammy Ameobi will start together for the first time in a senior setting, while Fabricio Coloccini and Cheik Tiote will also be included in the starting line-up as they prepare to sit out Sunday's Premier League game with West Ham through suspension.

Coloccini was dismissed for a crude challenge on Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and has subsequently been criticised by a range of television pundits and former managers, but Pardew insists his skipper has nothing to apologise for.

“I'm not bothered about anyone's criticism, in my book he's a fantastic captain and a player who has carried the mantle of being captain here with great honour,” he said. “One mistimed tackle shouldn't stain what's been a fantastic period for him. That's why he's back in the Argentinian team too.”

Having claimed seven points from their opening three Europa League matches, Newcastle could secure their qualification for the last 32 with two games to spare if they win tomorrow and Maritimo fail to beat Bordeaux.

Such a scenario would enable Pardew to be even more experimental in this month's home game with Maritimo and next month's trip to Bordeaux, something that would no doubt appeal given the mounting selection problems being caused by injuries and suspensions.

“I'll be surprised if we secure qualification because winning here is going to be very tough,” said the Magpies manager. “We'll enter it to win it, and that would certainly be welcome because we've got some tough games coming up.

“The guys are in really good spirits. We've had some very tough games recently, but to come through to where we are has left us in a very good position.”

Prior to leaving England yesterday morning, Pardew received some bad news with confirmation that Shola Ameobi has received his first call-up to the Nigeria squad.

The Newcastle striker is one of 11 overseas-based players to have been selected for next week's friendly with Venezuela in Miami, a game the Super Eagles are using to fine-tune their preparations for January's Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Tiote is already due to leave for up to six weeks to represent Ivory Coast in the tournament, and the potential loss of Ameobi would place a considerable strain on Newcastle's attacking resources.

“It is a discussion myself and Shola have had before and we will have again,” said Pardew. “But he will start against Club Brugges, and it will be the first time Shola and Sammy will start together because Sammy will play too.”