Newcastle v Plymouth preview

18 September 2009 14:04
Newcastle will be looking to bounce back from a midweek wobble when they welcome Plymouth to Tyneside. The Magpies suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Blackpool on Wednesday, but could return to the top of the Championship on Saturday if other results go their way. Plymouth's form stands in stark contrast to that of their opponents, with five straight defeats leaving them rooted to the foot of the table. Newcastle will have skipper Alan Smith back from suspension after the midfielder served his one-match ban during the 2-1 reversal at Bloomfield Road. Chris Hughton has no other fitness concerns following that game, with Shola Ameobi (foot) and Jonas Gutierrez (hamstring) the only absentees at present. Andy Carroll made a goalscoring return to action in midweek after a four-game lay-off, and should start again, while Peter Lovenkrands put in an eye-catching showing off the bench and could come into contention. New arrival Zurab Khizanishvili goes straight into the Magpies squad after agreeing a three-month loan deal from Blackburn. Basement side Plymouth are boosted by the return to fitness of striker Bradley Wright-Phillips ahead of their daunting trip to St James' Park. Former Southampton forward Wright-Phillips made his long-awaited Argyle debut as a late substitute in Tuesday night's 1-0 home defeat by Watford. Wright-Phillips, who arrived at Home Park over the summer, missed the start of the season with a knee injury and his return to fitness provides a welcome lift to Argyle. Manager Paul Sturrock can also call upon Australian defender Shane Lowry after the 20-year-old arrived on a three-month loan from Aston Villa. Sturrock was able to recall right-back David McNamee against the Hornets, but was without Benin international central defender Reda Johnson (knee). Johnson's place went to Hungarian international Krisztian Timar as Sturrock was again forced to make enforced changes to his back four.

Source: SKY_Sports