NEWCASTLE Krul Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon Anita, Tiote Cisse, Marveaux, Gutierrez Ba

MANCHESTER CITY   Hart Zabaleta, Nastasic, Lescott, Kolarov Toure, Garcia Tevez, Silva, Milner Aguero

Alan Pardew could be without influential midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring), after he suffered a reaction after coming back from his injury in the defeat at Fulham.

Steven Taylor (hamstring) and Yohan Cabaye remain sidelined for the Magpies but winger Gabriel Obertan (toe) could return following a month out.

Vincent Kompany (groin) has missed training after limping out of last week's Manchester derby and is likely to miss the trip to St James' Park, while James Milner may return from a hamstring injury.

Gareth Barry will definitely be missing though, the England midfielder will serve a one-match ban for abusive and/or insulting language towards a match official during the Manchester derby.

Jack Rodwell (hamstring) is regaining fitness but Micah Richards (ankle) admitted this week he does not expect to return until February.

• Newcastle have 10 points fewer than they did at this point last season.

• Demba Ba (pictured) has scored five goals in his last six Premier League appearances at St James' Park. He is 8/1 to score the first goal with bet365.

• Dan Gosling has scored in both of his Premier League appearances against Manchester City.

• Manchester City have scored six goals in their last five Premier League away matches and four of those have been netted by substitutes.

• City are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League away games and have kept five clean sheets in that run

• Manchester City have won nine, lost none and drawn two of their last 11 Premier League games against Newcastle.