When Newcastle were sunk 3-1 at Carrow Road in August, with Teemu Pukki scoring a hat-trick, gloom enveloped Tyneside. How times have since changed. Now Norwich are the team struggling at the bottom as Newcastle seek the win which lift Steve Bruce’s players to a very respectable February tally of 33 points. Danny Rose is expected to make his debut at left wing-back on a day when the Toon remains enveloped by one thing: confusion. Is the proposed Saudi takeover at St James’ Park a real possibility or merely another mirage? Louise Taylor
Saturday 3pm
Venue St James’ Park
Last season n/a
Referee Martin Atkinson
This season G20 Y60 R3 3.30 cards/game
Odds H 6-5 A 9-4 D 5-2
NEWCASTLE
Subs from Darlow, Schär, Lejeune, Yedlin, Ritchie, S Longstaff, M Longstaff, Allan, Atsu
Doubtful Lejeune (groin)
Injured Carroll (groin, 8 Feb), Manquillo (hamstring, 16 Feb), Muto (hip, 16 Feb), Gayle (hamstring, 22 Feb), Shelvey (hamstring, 29 Feb), Krafth (ankle, Mar), Dummett (hamstring, Aug), Willems (knee, Aug)
Suspended None
Discipline Y35 R2
Form LLLDWD
Leading scorer Shelvey 5
NORWICH
Subs from Fährmann, McGovern, Roberts, Leitner, Srbeny, Stiepermann, Hernández, Trybull, Rupp, Drmic
Doubtful Buendía (thigh), Cantwell (hamstring)
Injured Amadou (knee, unknown)
Suspended Godfrey (last of three)
Discipline Y46 R1
Form LDDLWL
Leading scorer Pukki 11
