SHEFFIELD are waiting on news of reserve Ashley Birks’ fitness ahead of their Premier League trip to Newcastle on Sunday (6.30pm).

Birks missed the Tigers’ home win over Plymouth on Thursday due to a shoulder injury, and club bosses will leave it to him to decide whether he can resume at Byker.

The remainder of their team will be unchanged against a Newcastle side who are in the lower reaches of the table after a host of injuries this season.

Despite that, the Diamonds have a good home record in the last couple of months and have recently been boosted by the return of Danish youngster Rene Bach from a broken leg.

Sheffield go into the fixture eleven points behind Premier League leaders Glasgow, with a match in hand, and both sides race on Sunday – whilst they are eight ahead of third-placed Workington who have three matches in hand.