John Carver retains sufficient self-confidence to believe that, given a fairer wind, a stronger squad and better luck with injuries, he could emerge as “the best coach in the Premier League”. Yet even the very highest-calibre coaches rarely relish visits from Tony Pulis. West Bromwich Albion would certainly enjoy compounding Newcastle’s relegation troubles by consigning them to a ninth straight defeat. How Carver could do without two key defenders, Daryl Janmaat and Mike Williamson, suspended. At least Papiss Cissé should be back on the home bench, though. Louise Taylor
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue St James’ Park
Last season Newcastle 2 West Bromwich 1
Referee C Foy
This season G13, Y43, R5, 4.08 cards per game
Odds H 13-8 A 2-1 D 9-4
Newcastle Utd
Subs from Elliot, Woodman, Satka, Sterry, Gutiérrez, Gouffran, Cissé, Obertan, Ameobi, Kemen, Armstrong
Doubtful Cissé (knee), Dummett (hamstring)
Injured Haïdara (knee, Aug), S Taylor (achilles, Aug), Tioté (knee, Aug), De Jong (thigh, unknown)
Suspended Janmaat (one match), Williamson (first of two)
Form LLLLLL
Discipline Y68 R7
Leading scorer Cissé 11
West Bromwich Albion
Subs from Rose, Morrison, Sessègnon, Mulumbu, Baird, Wisdom, Anichebe, Davidson, Pocognoli, Gamboa, Nabi
Doubtful None
Injured Foster (knee, Oct)
Suspended None
Form LLLWDW
Discipline Y58 R0
Leading scorer Berahino 12
