Roeder bemoans fixture 'madness'

Roeder fielded a weakened side against Palermo

Glenn Roeder has hit out at a fixture list which has left his Newcastle side facing three matches in six days.

The Magpies meet Sheffield United on Saturday, two days after facing Palermo in the Uefa Cup, then travel to Watford on Tuesday for a Carling Cup tie.

"It's utter madness," said Roeder. "To expect players to recover in less than 48 hours is ridiculous."

Blades boss Neil Warnock believes the Magpies did not ask to switch the game to Sunday because it is on television.

Interview: Newcastle boss Glen Roeder

With the game picked as the late televised showing on Saturday, Warnock thinks Newcastle were unwilling to sacrifice the financial gains.

"I was a little bit surprised when I heard they wanted to play on Saturday but the finances are massive now so you can't really blame them," said Warnock.

"What is it they get? £350,000? We're talking professional footballers here and they should be able to handle it.

"Newcastle didn't give us the option to switch days. If they had done, we would have switched."

A Premier League spokesman confirmed to BBC Sport that Newcastle had the option of requesting to play the game on Sunday, but did not take it.

The Football League stipulates that Carling Cup fourth-round ties must be played in the week beginning 6 November.

606 DEBATE: Do you agree with Roeder, or even Warnock?

However, it is left up to the two clubs - Watford and Newcastle - to decide which evening to play on.

Newcastle were unavailable for comment.

Meanwhile, manager Roeder is taking a philosophical view.

"It is a big ask to have to play on Thursday, Saturday and then Tuesday, but we have got to overcome that," he added.

"The way things are going with the Uefa Cup and Carling Cup, we do have too many games.

"But I wouldn't have it any other way."