Magpies boss Alan Shearer has confirmed that the Australian is working hard but is not ready to face Stoke City this weekend.

Shearer told the Evening Chronicle: "Mark and Joey (Barton) are training very well with the medical team, but neither of them will be available for Stoke City."

Meanwhile, Gold Coast have poured cold water over media speculation that Viduka could be in line for a guest stint with the A-League new boys.

Gold Coast supremo Clive Palmer told reporters that there was simply no truth in the recent Viduka reports. Coach Miron Bleiberg also said any move for Viduka was news to him.