Premier League preview: Newcastle v Norwich

16 March 2012 08:00

Newcastle will be aiming to break a run of four winless matches when they host Norwich at St James' Park on Sunday.

Away losses to Tottenham and Arsenal have come either side of draws at home to Wolverhampton and Sunderland, meaning Alan Pardew's men have dropped off the pace with the top four, and are five points behind fifth-placed Chelsea in sixth.

After being pipped by Arsenal on Monday, Pardew's side will be eyeing revenge against Norwich after losing the reverse fixture 4-2 at Carrow Road in December.

Newcastle have a host of injury concerns, with Leon Best (knee), Ryan Taylor (calf), Peter Lovenkrands (thigh), Sammy Ameobi (knee), Nile Ranger (foot) and Sylvain Marveaux (groin) all unavailable.

With four of those players of an attacking nature, Pardew will again rely on the services of Senegalese spearhead Demba Ba, who has netted 16 league goals.

New recruit Demba Papiss Cisse could also feature after not being used off the bench in the defeat at Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Norwich were held by Wigan last time out, a match in which midfielder Wesley Hoolahan netted his fourth goal of the campaign.

Hoolahan was also on target against Newcastle in the December victory.

The injury concerns for Norwich include James Vaughan (knee), Daniel Ayala (hamstring), Marc Tierney (groin) and Declan Rudd (ankle), with the quartet expected to miss the clash.