Shola Leads The Line Against West Ham!

Last updated : 04 January 2011 By Footy Mad - Editor

NU

Carroll will miss out again with a thigh injury and is unlikely to be fit for Saturday's FA Cup third round trip to Stevenage as he targets a return at Sunderland on January 16.

Ameobi could once again be partnered by Peter Lovenkrands, although manager Alan Pardew has promised Leon Best and Nile Ranger that they will get chances as he attempts to make the most of his squad.

Defender Sol Campbell will sit out again as he recovers from illness, while Dan Gosling is approaching full fitness after his long-term knee injury.

Hatem Ben Arfa (double leg fracture) and Ryan Taylor (ankle ligaments) remain on the sidelines.

NEWCASTLE (from): Harper, Krul, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, S. Taylor, Kadar, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Smith, Routledge, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Tavernier, Donaldson, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Best, Ranger, Xisco.

WHU

West Ham will check on Lars Jacobsen and Valon Behrami.

Full-back Jacobsen has been struggling with a heel injury and midfielder Behrami has been out for a month with a hip problem, but both were expected to train on Tuesday.

Midfielder Mark Noble is in line to start after returning from his hip injury as a substitute against Wolves, but Kieron Dyer (thigh), Herita Ilunga (leg), Benni McCarthy (calf), Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), Jack Collison (knee) and Manuel da Costa (ankle) remain sidelined.

WEST HAM (from): Green, Ben Haim, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon, Jacobsen, Barrera, Stanislas, Kovac, Parker, Behrami, Spector, Boa Morte, Cole, Obinna, Piquionne, Sears, Reid, Faubert, Boffin.