Source: SKY_Sports
Hull City v Newcastle preview
Hull City welcome Newcastle to the KC Stadium for Saturday's crucial showdown in the relegation battle.[LNB] Phil Brown's Tigers finally snapped their 11-game winless run in the Premier League with a crucial 1-0 success at Fulham last time out but remain just four points above the drop zone.[LNB]The Magpies' position is even more precarious, with only goal difference keeping them out of the bottom three ahead of Portsmouth, with Pompey also having played one game less.[LNB]Manager Joe Kinnear remains absent as he continues to recover from major heart surgery with Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood in charge of team affairs.[LNB]Only one victory has been garnered in Kinnear's absence, with the 3-2 success at West Brom followed by a home stalemate against Everton and defeats to Bolton and Manchester United.[LNB]Newcastle's display against the reigning Premier League and European champions gave cause for optimism and they will need more of the same against the Tigers.[LNB]The two clubs have already met three times this season with Hull City triumphing twice at St James' Park in the Premier League and FA Cup, with the initial third round cup meeting at the KC Stadium ending goalless.[LNB]Team newsOne concern for Brown is the Tigers' miserable home form, with a paltry 12 points from their 14 home games, the worst record of any team in the Premier League.[LNB]Brown has Andy Dawson available for selection again after he served a one-match ban, but Dean Marney remains suspended following his dismissal against Blackburn.[LNB]Craven Cottage hero Manucho, who stepped off the bench to grab the last-minute winner in West London, is pushing for a place in the starting XI.[LNB]Newcastle are boosted by the return of captain Michael Owen, with the striker having recovered from the ankle injury he sustained at Manchester City on 28th January.[LNB]Owen is in the squad and may well start after nearly two weeks in full training, while Nicky Butt and Damien Duff are also available after respective knee and calf injuries.[LNB]Kevin Nolan serves the final game of his three-match ban following his horror tackle on Everton's Victor Anichebe, while Habib Beye (ankle) and Danny Guthrie (hamstring) are moving closer to full fitness.[LNB]Striker Mark Viduka is two weeks away from a return after a recurrence of his Achilles problem, with Joey Barton (metatarsal) and Ignacio Gonzalez (Achilles) also out.[LNB]Possible starting XIs:Hull City: Duke, Gardner, Mendy, Dawson, Turner, Zayatte, Ashbee, Kilbane, Geovanni, Cousin, Fagan.[LNB]Newcastle: Harper, Coloccini, R Taylor, S Taylor, Bassong, Enrique, Butt, Smith, Martins, Owen, Gutierrez.[LNB]
