Alan Pardew admits to having mixed feelings about Christian
Dailly's non-participation in Scotland's European
Championship qualifier against Holland on Wednesday.
Christian was booked in the first leg of what was a storming personal performance after kicking the ball away unwittingly when he failed to hear the referee's whistle.
"I spoke to Christian yesterday and I have got a lot of sympathy for him personally," says Alan.
"But on a selfish note it is good news for us because obviously he is not going to pick up any injuries.
"It is going to be a humdinger of a game whichever way you look at it and he would be drained physically and mentally if he played so that is a bonus from our point of view - but for him obviously it is disappointing.
"Don Hutchison has a massive game against Holland tonight and I am looking forward to seeing him and Christian back on Friday."