Newcastle v Portsmouth match preview

Following Sunderland's rousing 4-0 victory over West Brom, Newcastle is dire need of points against Portsmouth to keep pace and claw its way out of relegation zone. Sitting two points above the Magpies are Man City, West Ham and Sunderland and as closest rivals outside of the relegation zone it is imperative to not allow them to increase the point margin.

With dreams of earning a Europa League bid, Portsmouth is equally aware this is a match they cannot afford to slip-up on. For the match they will have Glen Johnson and Richard Hughes back from injury but will be without Papa Bouba Diop, who is in the sin-bin as well as Younes Kaboul and winger John Utaka to injuries.

Joe Kinner is still sweating the fitnes off Shola Ameobi, Sebastien Bassong, Nicky Butt, Damien Duff and Danny Guthrie, each subject to a pre-match fitness test. Undefeated in their previous four matches these possible injuries will have a major impact upon lineup decisions as will expected heavy rains. Joe Kinnear is expected to also call upon eighteen year-old Academy product Kazenga LuaLua for the match.

I will report on the match as it concludes.