Brighton vs Newcastle United - FA Cup Match Preview

Newcastle United travel the long journey down South to Brighton today looking to get over their Premier League hangover from last week when Alan Pardew's side uncharacteristically collapsed at Craven Cottage, their defence hemorrhaging in the second half against Fulham. But Brighton will be no pushovers for them today... they have already taken the significant scalp of Newcastle's rivals Sunderland in the League Cup at the Amex Stadium this season and as United's exiting against lower league side Stevenage showed last year, you just never know when The Magpies travel away in the FA Cup. They haven't actually won an away match in this competition in the last eight attempts, the last victory coming in this round against Cheltenham Town exactly six years ago today. Kick-off is at 5.15pm in this FA Cup Fourth Round match, showing live on ESPN at 5.15pm.

Team News

Former United winger Kazenga Lua-Lua is a doubt with a hamstring problem that has kept him out for three weeks but he could play. Craig Noone is also making a comeback from the same injury whilst star man Vicente (a former Spanish international and UEFA and La Liga winner with Valencia) should play after recovering from a thigh injury that has kept him out since October. For Newcastle, a late fitness test will determine whether Captain Fabricio Coloccini can field after pulling his groin in training. James Perch would come in to partner Mike Williamson if he doesn't make it. The game comes too early for Demba Ba and new signing Papiss Demba Cisse who play their last fixture for the already knocked out Senegal in the African Cup of Nations this weekend. They could be back for Wednesday's Premier League game against Blackburn. Also at the competition but likely for a longer stay is Ivory Coast's Cheick Tiote whilst long term injuries for Sylvain Marveaux, Steven Taylor and Sammy Ameobi rule them out.