3 Head-To-Head Battles That Will Decide Newcastle Vs Northampton Town

2. MIDFIELD - Jack Colback (NUFC) vs John-Joe O'Toole (NTFC)

Jack Colback has been ever present for Steve McClaren so far in the Premier League and could well retain his Magpies' place for the Capital One Cup tie against Northampton Town because the Newcastle head coach is a huge fan of the Geordie midfielder. He is likely to come face to face with the Cobblers' John-Joe O'Toole, who has played for the likes of Watford and Bristol Rovers but seems to have found his feet at Sixfields. Last season, Colback made 35 Premier League appearances (all as a starter) for the Magpies and scored four goals, making him one of the more-impressive midfield performers in a largely disastrous campaign for Newcastle. O'Toole, meanwhile, also made 35 Football League appearances (24 as a starter, 11 off the bench), but he could only manage two goals, and that is an area the former five-cap Republic of Ireland Under-21 international will look to add to his game going forward.

Both are a similar age (Colback is 25, O'Toole is 26), but it is the Newcastle midfielder who seems more reassured in his playing style and position, even if he has been struggling for top form so far this campaign. It is O'Toole who comes out on top in the physical stakes - at 6ft 2in he is five inches taller than Colback - but the Magpies' double-pivot does not let himself get bullied. In fact, Colback was booked a staggering 12 times last season, and discipline is also an issue for O'Toole, who was yellow-carded on nine occasions and sent off once. Colback could potentially be rested for this match, but if not then McClaren will look to the man dubbed the "Ginger Pirlo" to dictate play for Newcastle. O'Toole will be expected to do likewise for his side by Chris Wilder. Verdict: Jack Colback Once again, unsurprisingly, the Premier League midfielder comes out on top. Although Colback is yet to find his top form this campaign, he is proven at the top level and will expect to dominate the game, should he be selected of course.