Preston North End v Newcastle United - Match Preview
23 Nov 2009 - 12:33:09
Newcastle United have the chance to return to the Championship summit with a win over Preston North End.
The Magpies have won their last three matches and their cause will be aided by the return of Jonas Gutierrez after picking up a thigh injury during the victory against Peterborough United a fortnight ago.
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New signing Fabrice Pancrate is still awaiting clearance to play so is unlikely to figure.
Zurab Khizanishvili serves the final game of his three-match suspension while Shola Ameobi and Joey Barton are still nursing foot injuries.
Preston's new loan signing Michael Tonge is in line to make his debut at Deepdale having joined from fellow Championship side Sheffield United.
Both Richard Chaplow and Stephen Elliott are expected to be fit after shaking off minor injuries so Barry Nicholson will be Alan Irvine's only absentee.
This is the first time the clubs have met for 22 years and Newcastle right back Danny Simpson feels that his side face a tough challenge in Lancashire.
"The first game back [after the international break] at Preston will be tough, most of them are, but we're the form team and it's up to us to take the game to them," he told the club's official website.
"We'll have another big support and for the fans, as well as ourselves, we're determined to get the win."
-By David Brenchley
