While all the attention has focused on their noisy new Italian neighbour just down the road at Sunderland, the fact Newcastle are only two points better off than Paolo Di Canio’s team has not escaped Alan Pardew. With Sunderland visiting St James’ Park next Sunday, the Newcastle manager has dubbed this fixture a “must win” game. In an attempt to minimise post-Europa League fatigue, Newcastle stayed in Lisbon on Thursday night following their 3-1 defeat at Benfica rather than flying back to Tyneside in the early hours of Friday morning. (Guardian)
Venue St James’ Park, Sunday 3pm
Newcastle
Subs from Elliot, Perch, Williamson, Anita, Bigirimana, Ameobi, Obertan, Marveaux, Campbell, Gosling
Doubtful Tioté (hamstring), Simpson (ankle)
Injured Haïdara (knee, 13 Apr), Coloccini (back, 13 Apr), Debuchy (hamstring, 13 Apr), R Taylor (knee, 13 Apr), Vuckic (knee, Aug), Ben Arfa (hamstring, unknown)
Suspended None
Form guide LLWLWL
Disciplinary record Y58 R2
Leading scorer Cissé 7
Fulham
Subs from Etheridge, Somogyi, Hughes, Frei, Rodallega, Emanuelson, Baird, Mesca, Davies, Enoh
Doubtful Enoh (thigh), Ruiz (hamstring)
Injured Dejagah (ankle, 13 Apr), Petric (adductor, May), Diarra (knee, Aug),
Suspended Sidwell (first of three)
Form guide WWDWDL
Disciplinary record Y36 R2
Leading scorer Berbatov 13
