Venue: St James' Park Date: Saturday, 19th January K/o: 15:00
Team News
Steven Taylor could return after being sidelined for Newcastle's last 11 matches with a hamstring injury, whilst striker Shola Ameobi is also available after missing last weekend's draw with Norwich through suspension. Still sidelined for Newcastle are Hatem Ben Arfa, Steven Taylor, Ryan Taylor, Danny Simpson, Haris Vuckic, Dan Gosling with various injuries, and Cheick Tiote is currently away on International duty. Reading may hand a debut to fullback Stephen Kelly after his transfer window move from Fulham. Midfielder Mikele Leigertwood returns from injury but striker Jason Roberts remains sidelined with a hip problem.
Match Preview
These are troubling times for Alan Pardew. No win in five games, fifteen goals conceded, and he has been shorn of star striker Demba Ba. Coupled with that, he failed to land his number one transfer target Loic Remy, and club captain Fabricio Coloccini has said he wants to leave. All this has come at the worst possible time as the Magpies teeter on the brink of relegation. It isn't all roses and sunshine for Reading, either, as they travel to St James' Park firmly in the relegation zone, three points from safety. They call games like this "dogfights" and that is exactly what it may prove to be when all is said and done. Three points for both sides is compulsory, but one will be left disappointed.
Likely Line-Ups
Newcastle Krul, Santon, Williamson, Coloccini, Debuchy, Marveaux, Anita, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Cisse, Ameobi
Reading Federici, Shorey, Morrison, Gorkss, Gunter, McAnuff, Leighertwood, Kebe, McCleary, Le Fondre, Pogrebnyak Source:
BBC