Heerenveen hopes boosted by win

With the UEFA Cup set to resume after its winter break, uefa.com looks at the form of the 32 clubs involved in first-leg ties this week.

SC Heerenveen v Newcastle United FC
Heerenveen have experienced a mixed time since they sealed their progress to the last 32 of the UEFA Cup with victory against KSK Beveren, starting with a 3-2 loss to Eredivisie strugglers NEC Nijmegen four days later. Midfield player Youssouf Hersi and Stefan Selakovic departed during the winter break, to SBV Vitesse and IFK Göteborg respectively, while striker Lars Nilsson joined from Elfsborg IF.

Heerenveen returned to action in 2005 with a 2-1 victory against FC Den Bosch but were immediately brought back to earth with elimination from the Dutch Cup by AFC Ajax. The disappointment continued when Gertjan Verbeek's side followed a draw against NAC Breda with a 3-1 defeat by AZ Alkmaar. They got back to winning ways at the weekend, however, as Mika Väyrynen returned from injury to inspire them to a 3-2 win at Roda JC, a match that saw Nilsson register his first goal. With the 23-year-old ineligible due to earlier performances for Elfsborg and Heerenveen's top scorer Klaas Jan Huntelaar doubtful with a groin problem, Verbeek will look towards Ulur Yildirim, who made his international debut for the Netherlands against England last week. Defender Marcel Seip is definitely out with a foot injury.

Players registered: Bo Storm, Ken Larsen.
Players out: Youssouf Hersi, Stefan Selakovic, Paul de Lange.

Having won UEFA Cup Group D, Newcastle's 2004 ended disappointingly with defeats against Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC and a draw at Blackburn Rovers FC. On New Year's Day, Birmingham City FC were overcome 2-1, but Newcastle were then held 0-0 by lowly West Bromwich Albion FC before defeating non-league Yeading FC 2-0 in the FA Cup. Those clean sheets were aided by defensive newcomers Jean-Alain Boumsong (ineligible for the UEFA Cup) and Celestine Babayaro, whose signing allowed Robbie Elliott to have a long-awaited knee operation.

Southampton FC were then defeated 2-1, but Newcastle lost 1-0 at Arsenal and manager Graeme Souness announced that he would not pick Craig Bellamy again after the forward refused to play out of position. Meanwhile, Nicky Butt's comeback from a hamstring injury was delayed, and fellow defensive midfield player Amdy Faye was signed the following week. Following a 3-1 FA Cup win against Coventry City FC, Bellamy departed for Celtic FC on loan, with Olivier Bernard also leaving for Southampton on the transfer window's final day. Since then Newcastle have drawn 1-1 with Manchester City FC and Charlton Athletic FC and remain in the bottom half of the Premiership. They were not in action at the weekend.

Players registered: Celestine Babayaro, Amdy Faye, Charles N'Zogbia.
Players out: Craig Bellamy, Olivier Bernard.