Newcastle's injury list remains longer than a greedy kids Christmas list. Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring) and Yohan Cabaye (groin) won't play again this year, leaving United without their two most creative players and the burden left to the usually defensive minded Vurnon Anita and James Perch to try create the chances. However, Perch is a late doubt for the game with a neck problem, though it may be more of an irritation than something that means he shouldn't play. The two Taylor's, Steven (hamstring) and Ryan (cruciate ligament) remain long term absentees, whilst Dan Gosling and Haris Vuckic remain sidelined. Gabriel Obertan returned to training this week and should make the bench after recovering from a toe injury. For QPR, Julio Cesar remains sidelined, as does Jose Boswinga. There'll be no North East return for former Magpie Kieron Dyer who has a back injury, whilst Ji-Sung Park (knee) and strikers Andrew Johnson (knee) and Bobby Zamora (hip) remain unavailable.
Predicted Line-ups;
Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Anita, Tiote, Perch, Gutierrez, Ba, Cisse QPR: Green, Traore, Hill, Onouha, Nelsen, Taarabat, Wright-Phillips, Faurlin, M'bia, Cisse, Mackie source - bbc sport