Joe Kinnear is set to start Joey Barton today as Newcastle United play host to West Brom at St James' Park. Newcastle go into the game after the weekend's Tyne-Wear derby defeat whilst West Brom travel on the back of a 4-0 defeat against Manchester United, two weeks ago and a 3-0 defeat against Hull City at the weekend.
Both teams have lost 5 games a-piece whilst West Brom have won two games more than Newcastle; all three wins coming in their last 6 games.
Kinnear is still without leading goal scorer Michael Owen who is yet to recover from a groin injury sustained in training during the International break as well as Mark Viduka (Achilles) and Alan Smith (foot) who both have long term injuries.
Nicky Butt is also sidelined after suffering an ankle injury which he carried through the weekend's match against Sunderland.
Joey Barton will start as could Jonas Gutierrez, after both recovered from injury to make a late appearance at the weekend.
West Brom's manager Tony Mowbray will be without defender Abdoulaye Meite and midfielder Filipe Teixeira who are struggling both with calf problems as well as midfielder Kim-Do-Heon who has a knee injury.
Winger Chris Brunt could return for West Brom after being dropped at the weekend.
NUFC: Shay Given, Habib Beye, Jose Enrique, Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez, Danny Guthrie, Joey Barton, Damien Duff, Oba Martins, Shola Ameobi
Subs: Steve Harper, Sebastien Bassong, Charles N'Zogbia, Claudio Cacapa, Xisco, Geremi, Andy Carroll
WBA: Scott Carson, Gianni Zuiverloon, Ryan Donk, Jonas Olsson, Paul Robinson, James Morrison, Jonathan Greening, Robert Koran, Borja Valero, Chris Brunt, Roman Bednar
Subs: Dean Kiely, Carl Hoefkens, Marek Cech, Ishmael Miller, Sherjill Macdonald, Luke Moore, Pedro Pele
Referee: Mike Dean
I think Joe's picked the right team for today, now for a good performance and 3 points. Howay the lads!
There is just 1 area of his game he MUST IMPROVE though, his passing. He must learn how to weight his passes. I think he's played three simple passes too far wide.
However he is still one of my favourite players.
I sense we are going to thrash West Brom.
Shola Ameobi has had a good game today. Well done to the lad.
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