TOWN have been stung by news that Gary Roberts is suspended immediately for three matches.

The club's Player of the Year will miss tonight's Carling Cup second round clash with Newcastle United at St James' Park, Saturday's noon home showdown with Yeovil and the following Tuesday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie at Rotherham.

Roberts has been retrospectively punished by the Football Association for his part in the fracas which followed a confrontation between Peter Clarke and Jeff Hughes (who was booked at the time) after 75 minutes of Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Bristol Rovers.

Manager Lee Clark is already without midfield kingpin Tom Clarke, who had knee cartilage surgery yesterday and will be out for up to three months, so he is forced into changes against Chris Hughton's Championship challengers in a tie which has attracted 4,000 Town fans to travel.