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Friday, 11 February, 2000, 15:26 GMT
Geordies prepare for toughest test
Manchester United provide a stern test of Newcastle's six-month unbeaten home record on Saturday. Aston Villa and Sunderland are the only teams to have taken all three points away from St James Park this season, both of them in August under former manager Ruud Gullit.
But despite heavy wins over Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Spurs, the cream of the Premiership have yet to give Bobby Robson's revival a home test.
Draws with Liverpool and AS Roma have been the closest the Geordies have come to a big home win, and Chelsea, Leeds and Arsenal have all yet to travel to the Premiership's northern outpost. United's visit there is the highlight of Saturday's eight-match programme, with Arsenal and Liverpool meeting at Highbury on Sunday. Before that Leeds need to bounce back from recent setbacks and take all three points as George Graham returns to Elland Road. Meanwhile Chelsea host a Wimbledon in side in desperate need of a result to keep them clear of relegation trouble. And at the bottom itself Southampton need an upturn in their away form under new boss Glenn Hoddle, as they visit fellow strugglers Wednesday. Newcastle v Man Utd Alessandro Pistone broke a leg in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland last weekend but Newcastle have no new injury problems.
Nolberto Solano is on international duty with Peru, while Aaron Hughes and Kevin
Gallacher will be hoping to return to the starting line-up.
Andy Cole is likely to start alongside Teddy Sheringham up front as the former Newcastle striker attempts to score his 100th goal for Manchester United on his return to the club that sold him. Dwight Yorke is on international duty but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is available. This is Sir Alex Ferguson's first Premiership meeting with Bobby Robson, and the Scot thinks is will be "a terrific game". Leeds v Tottenham Michael Bridges misses out for Leeds after spraining an ankle in training, so Harry Kewell and Alan Smith are likely to remain up front.
David Hopkin completes a three-match suspension, while David Batty is still another week away from a possible return after injury.
Lucas Radebe misses his final game as the African Cup of Nations reaches its climax. Spurs have Oyvind Leonhardsen and Steffen Freund back from injury, but neither is likely to start. Top scorer Steffen Iversen has joined Les Ferdinand on the sidelines. Chris Armstrong may have a lone striking role, although Dutchman Willem Korsten may get a first Spurs start against the side he played for last season. Chelsea v Wimbledon England full-back Graeme Le Saux is close to a return but will remain alongside injured Roberto Di Matteo for this game. Albert Ferrer has not recovered from an ankle problem while Celestine Babayaro remains in Africa.
Centre-back Jes Hogh is also out injured but Emerson Thome may continue to hold
off Frank Leboeuf's challenge for a place back in the side.
New striker Andreas Lund is likely to be thrown straight into action after his £2.5m move to Wimbledon from Molde. John Hartson is out with a knee injury and Marcus Gayle on international duty with Jamaica. Ben Thatcher, Andy Roberts, Michael Hughes and Gareth Ainsworth are also sidelined, while Tore Pedersen and Dean Blackwell are back training but not ready to return. Coventry v Sunderland Moroccan internationals Youssef Chippo and Mustapha Hadji return for the
Sunderland travel without defenders Steve Bould and Michael Gray, who are both injured.
Jody Craddock continues to deputise in central defence while Chris Makin will switch sides and either Darren Williams or Darren Holloway will return to the starting line-up. Everton v Derby Everton are without suspended David Unsworth so Michael Ball will switch to left-back while Nicky Barmby returns after a ban in midfield. Scottish international John Collins and striker Francis Jeffers are likely to remain on the substitutes' bench, with Joe-Max Moore expected to hold his place in the side. Derby must decide whether to give Georgi Kinkladze his first start in two months after he impressed when coming off the bench last weekend. Horacio Carbonari is back from suspension but Lars Bohinen and Darryl Powell are both struggling to be fit in time and Rory Delap has a stomach virus and is doubtful. Sheff Wed v Southampton Wednesday striker Andy Booth is back in contention for the first time in six weeks but is unlikely to dislodge Gilles De Bilde and Gerald Sibon up front. There are doubts surrounding Niclas Alexandersson, Wim Jonk and Ian Nolan while Philip Scott is out for three weeks with an Achilles injury. Norwegian defender Claus Lundekvam is back after suspension for Southampton and is likely to return to the centre of defence, with Francis Benali switching to left back. French defender Patrick Colleter is doubtful with a thigh injury, while winger Wayne Bridge is unavailable with a one-match suspension. Watford v Leicester Nordin Wooter could make his first start for two months for Watford after recovering from an ankle injury.
Peter Kennedy and Clint Easton returned from long-term injury last weekend while Michel Ngonge is back from from African duty with Congo.
Stan Collymore will be in the Leicester squad, although Tony Cottee and Emile Heskey are also fit again. Martin O'Neill must decide how many of the four players who are one booking away from a suspension will play at Vicarage Road. If any of Neil Lennon, Muzzy Izzet, Robbie Savage and Gerry Taggart are booked at Vicarage Road, they will miss the Worthington Cup final. West Ham v Bradford West Ham have four key players on international duty - Paulo Wanchope, Craig Forrest, Javier Margas and Marc-Vivien Foe. But Paolo di Canio and Shaka Hislop have both recovered from hamstring problems. Bradford striker Lee Mills has a back problem, while on-loan goalkeeper Aidan Davison will again start. Neville Southall continues as his deputy, with Matt Clarke and Gary Walsh sidelined for at least the next six weeks. |
Links to other FA Carling Premiership stories are at the foot of the page.
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