Smith out as Pancrate makes rare start for Magpies

ALAN Smith will be absent as Newcastle attempt to strengthen their position at the top of the Championship against Barnsley this afternoon. The Magpies skipper injured his ankle in training this week, and has failed to recover in time. In his absence, Danny Guthrie will partner Kevin Nolan in central midfield, with Fabrice Pancrate preferred to Ryan Taylor on the right flank. Newcastle boss Chris Hughton has made two more changes to the side that won at Watford last weekend. Peter Lovenkrands replaces Leon Best in attack, with Jose Enrique returning at left-back in place of Patrick van Aanholt, who has returned to Chelsea following the end of his loan spell. NEWCASTLE (4-4-2): Harper; Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Enrique; Pancrate, Guthrie, Nolan, Gutierrez; Lovenkrands, Carroll. Subs: Krul (gk), Hall, R Taylor, Best, Butt, Kadar, Ranger. BARNSLEY (4-4-1-1): Steele; Hassell, Foster, Shotton, Dickinson; Teixeira, Colace, Doyle, Hallfredsson; De Silva; Gray. Subs: Preece (gk), Hammil, Hume, Potter, Macken, Bogdanovic, Moore.

Source: Northern_Echo