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NEWCASTLE UNITED will hand a lifeline to forgotten man Xisco tonight at Aston Villa.

The one-time Spanish Under-21 international has endured a miserable time since arriving for £5.5million from Deportivo la Coruna.

And while the player once starred in front of packed houses in La Liga against the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, there will barely be a soul at Villa Park this evening as he makes his return.

Xisco was overlooked for all of United's pre-season trips and hasn't featured for the Magpies in any competitive fixture since being farmed out on loan back to Depor last term.

However, with no clubs interested in his services United must try to get something out of him in the final months of his contract.

Xisco will be joined in the squad by the likes of Mehdi Abeid, Haris Vuckic, Adam Campbell and Dan Gosling.