St James' Park: Home of Newcastle United(credit:
Wikipedia)
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew welcomes back defensive duo Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini for the visit of Manchester City today. (kick-off 15.00 GMT)
Williamson and Coloccini were former manager Chris Hughton’s preferred central defensive pairing, but were suspended when new box Pardew took charge for the first time against Liverpool.
However, the Magpies won that game 3-1 and, because of that, Pardew could stand by Steven Taylor and Sol Campbell.
Steve Harper is available again following a shoulder problem but may have to settle for a place on the bench due to Tim Krul’s fine form in goal, while a hamstring problem means Shola Ameobi is doubtful.
Manchester City defender Kolo Toure is suspended for this one, but Nigel de Jong returns from a ban of his own and Pablo Zabaleta looks to have overcome head and ankle injuries.
Last Premier League games:
NEWCASTLE UNITED 3 Liverpool 1: Krul, Simpson, S Taylor, Campbell, Enrique, Routledge (Ranger 74), Guthrie (Smith 73), Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Lovenkrands 46). Not used: Soderberg, Perch, Best, Kadar.
MANCHESTER CITY 1 Everton 2: Hart, Zabaleta, K Toure, Kompany, Kolarov, Milner (A Johnson 46), Y Toure, Barry, Silva, Tevez, Balotelli (Jo 83). Not used: Given, Richards, Wright-Phillips, Boateng, Vieira.