Hughton drops Smith for Sky Blues encounter

ALAN SMITH has been dropped by Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton for tonight's visit of Coventry City to St James' Park. Hughton, who has stood by his word to stick with top scorer Kevin Nolan despite a poor showing at Swansea, has opted for Nolan and Danny Guthrie in the middle. Wayne Routledge and the returning Jonas Gutierrez provide the width. At the back Mike Williamson returns to the heart of the defence at the expense of Fitz Hall, with Peter Lovenkrands and Andy Carroll partnering one another up front. NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-4-2): Harper; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Van Aanholt; Routledge, Guthrie, Nolan, Gutierrez; Carroll, Lovenkrands. Subs: Hall, Taylor, Smith, Best, Pancrate, Krul (gk), Ranger. COVENTRY CITY (4-4-2): Westwood; Wright, Barnett, Wood, Cranie; Baker, Clinigan, Deegan, McIndoe; Eastwood, Morrison. Subs: Turner, Konstantopoulos, Gunnarsson, Stead, Sears, Hussey, Grandison.

Source: Northern_Echo