Newcastle United Team News vs Norwich City - Will Hatem Ben Arfa Start?
Team news ahead of Newcastle United's Premier League clash with Norwich City at St. James' Park this afternoon.
Update: Cheick Tiote has been ruled out of the game. Team news ahead of Newcastle United's Premier League clash with Norwich City at St. James' Park this afternoon. Kick-off time is at 4pm and the match is being screened live on Sky Sports 1 in the UK. After a run of disappointing results and a lot of formation tinkering, Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has several things on his mind going into today's game. The big question is over his team's shape and whether he goes for 4-4-2 and plays his big £10 million signing Papiss Cisse up front with Demba Ba who have got three goals for the club in three home games between them OR does he play the formation that allows the biggest goal threat of the last few matches Hatem Ben Arfa to play wide on the right but then sacrificing Cisse from the line-up? Though of course Pardew could decide to play all three of Ben Arfa, Ba and Cisse in a mega attacking line-up but then that would leave the right-hand side suspect in defence. Because of The Magpies other injuries Newcastle's other right hand side options are Gabriel Obertan (who also isn't the best defender, though he at least attempts and tracks back unlike Ben Arfa) and Dan Gosling who has been a forgotten man at the club this season. And then there is the wildcard of Shola Ameobi that we can't forget about. He scored the dramatic last minute equalizer in the Tyne/Wear derby in Newcastle's last outing at St. James' Park and did well holding the ball up and allowing Newcastle time to get players attacking. He looks a better player now that he knows he has to work hard to get into the team with Cisse having joined the club... is he due a start? The formation could be dependent on the fitness of midfield general Cheick Tiote who is a huge doubt for the game having picked up a hamstring injury in the dying moments of Monday night's 2-1 defeat at Arsenal. His absence could see James Perch or Danny Guthrie play in the middle. Though Perch might need to be called upon to play at right-back as Danny Simpson is a doubt with the adductor strain he suffered on Monday night. With Ryan Taylor also a huge doubt for the game today, Perch might be required to play in the right-back slot that he started his Newcastle career playing in. Though latest reports suggest Simpson may be OK to start. Newcastle are still missing long-term absentees Steven Taylor (Achilles), Leon Best (knee), Peter Lovenkrands (thigh), Sylvain Marveaux (groin) and Sammy Ameobi (knee). Nile Ranger and Steve Harper are both back in training but are deemed out of favour. For Norwich, midfielder Jonny Howson should be available after illness. Defenders Daniel Ayala (hamstring) and Marc Tierney (groin) are still recovering full match fitness. James Vaughan is still ruled out with a hamstring injury.