Stars line up for Asia Cup

Shearer will play a full part in the tournament for Newcastle

Chelsea, Newcastle United, Birmingham City and the Malayasian national team will contest the inaugural Premier League Asia Cup.

It is the first time the Premier League has sanctioned a tournament outside of England, and is aimed at boosting the profile of the league in the lucrative Far East market.

The four-match tournament takes place from 24-27 July, with all the matches at the 86,000-capacity Ntinal Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE Birmingham v Newcastle Match A - 24 July 1345 BST Malaysia v Chelsea Match B - 25 July 1345 BST Third place play-off 26 July 1345 BST Final 27 July 1345 BST

All the Premiership representatives are expected to field near full-strength line-ups for the competition.

Newcastle arrived in the Malaysian capital on Monday and manager Sir Bobby Robson said he had a full line-up of 22 players, including Alan Shearer and Jonathan Woodgate, from which to choose.

Door still open for Cisse

Birmingham's manager Steve Bruce has also picked a star-studded line-up, although out-of-favour Senegal international Aliou Cisse is not included in their squad.

Chelsea will not have Cameroon international Geremi in their squad, but new signing Glen Johnson is included in a 19-man line-up.

The Malaysian national team will provide Claudio Ranieri's side with a stern test in the heat of Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

The winner from that game will play in the final against the victor from the game on Thursday between Birmingham and Newcastle.

The two losing teams will play in a third-place play-off on Saturday while the winners will face each other on Sunday.

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