Match previews

Newcastle v Norwich: match preview

When Newcastle were sunk 3-1 at Carrow Road in August, with Teemu Pukki scoring a hat-trick, gloom enveloped Tyneside. How times have since changed. Now Norwich are the team struggling at the bottom as Newcastle seek the win which lift Steve Bruce’s players to a very respectable February tally of 33 points. Danny Rose is expected to make his debut at left wing-back on a day when the Toon remains enveloped by one thing: confusion. Is the proposed Saudi takeover at St James’ Park a real possibility or merely another mirage? Louise Taylor

Saturday 3pm

Venue St James’ Park

Last season n/a

Referee Martin Atkinson

This season G20 Y60 R3 3.30 cards/game

Odds H 6-5 A 9-4 D 5-2

NEWCASTLE

Subs from Darlow, Schär, Lejeune, Yedlin, Ritchie, S Longstaff, M Longstaff, Allan, Atsu

Doubtful Lejeune (groin)

Injured Carroll (groin, 8 Feb), Manquillo (hamstring, 16 Feb), Muto (hip, 16 Feb), Gayle (hamstring, 22 Feb), Shelvey (hamstring, 29 Feb), Krafth (ankle, Mar), Dummett (hamstring, Aug), Willems (knee, Aug)

Suspended None

Discipline Y35 R2

Form LLLDWD

Leading scorer Shelvey 5

NORWICH

Subs from Fährmann, McGovern, Roberts, Leitner, Srbeny, Stiepermann, Hernández, Trybull, Rupp, Drmic

Doubtful Buendía (thigh), Cantwell (hamstring)

Injured Amadou (knee, unknown)

Suspended Godfrey (last of three)

Discipline Y46 R1

Form LDDLWL

Leading scorer Pukki 11