TEAM NEWS
Norwich could have captain Grant Holt back from a hamstring problem. Steve Morison (thigh) remains sidelined, so Canada striker Simeon Jackson is pressing for a place in the side after scoring in last weekend's 3-0 FA Cup win at Peterborough and midfielder Jonny Howson is expected to shake off a virus. Defender Steven Whittaker (hip) and winger Andrew Surman (hip) continue their rehabilitation, while England goalkeeper John Ruddy remains a long-term absentee after surgery on his thigh injury.
Fabricio Coloccini is set to return to the Newcastle line-up despite persistent rumours linking him with a move back to Argentina. Magpies boss Alan Pardew will hand former Lille full-back Mathieu Debuchy his debut, while Papiss Cisse also returns after missing last week's FA Cup loss at Brighton. Pardew's injury problems have eased with the news that Yohan Cabaye is expected to return to the bench after a groin strain, but Steven Taylor and Hatem Ben Arfa remain out and Shola Ameobi is suspended after his red card last week.
MANAGER QUOTES
Chris Hughton: "As soon as that whistle blows, it is about business and trying to play well enough to get the points. Anything at Newcastle now, though, is not my concern. My only concern is here and the job I am doing here."
Alan Pardew: "I think there’s a misconception that players take fans for granted, and accept we’ve got great fans, and that they are always going to be there,” he said. They’re not unless we start putting in a few performances and get a few wins away from home between now and the end of the season. All the good faith we gained last year, we’re slowly eroding away. I know from my experience at West Ham and big clubs – and obviously this is a bigger club – that you can’t afford to do that. At some point, you need to kick into gear. Now we’ve got a few senior players back, we need to get some momentum. We need to get something at Norwich – that’s it, for me.”
MATCH FACTS
Norwich City have scored the highest percentage of goals from headers of any team in the top flight (38%).
Newcastle have conceded more headed goals than any other team in the Premier League (11).
20 points after 21 matches is Newcastle’s lowest ever points haul in the Premier League era.
Eight of the last nine meetings between Norwich and Newcastle in all competitions have ended as home wins and none as away victories.
After an unbeaten run of 10 Premier League matches, Norwich have lost their last four in a row.
The Canaries have scored more direct free kick goals than any other team in the league this season (4) and more from free kicks not struck straight at goal (5).
Newcastle have lost nine of their last 11 Premier League matches, winning the other two.
Chris Hughton returns to the club where he was a coach and manager. He won just six of 25 Premier League games in charge of the Magpies (W6 D6 L13). After leading Newcastle back to the Premier League, Hughton was replaced by current boss Alan Pardew in December 2010.
Norwich have conceded a joint-high seven goals from outside the box in the Premier League this season.
Mike Williamson has made more defensive clearances than any other Premier League player this season (221).
MATCH ODDS
Norwich (6/5), Newcastle (12/5), Draw (13/5)
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