Preston North End v Newcastle United: Match preview

by Pat McGatt. Published Mon 23 Nov 2009 15:48

Preston will be looking to prevent Newcastle from returning to the summit of the Championship when they meet at Deepdale tonight.

The Magpies have won three successive games in the league.

Preston have failed to win their last three league matches.

Preston boss Alan Irvine could hand a debut to Stoke midfielder Michael Tonge after he arrived on loan.

Midfielder Barry Nicholson remains sidelined as he recovers from a broken leg suffered against Peterborough in August.

Newcastle are waiting for new signing Fabrice Pancrate to receive clearance after the Frenchman penned a deal over the weekend after a successful two-week trial.

Manager Chris Hughton has confirmed midfielder Jonas Gutierrez will be fit.

The match has come too soon for striker Shola Ameobi who is set to return to first-team training on Tuesday.

Defender Zurab Khizanishvili serves the third and final game of his three-match suspension.

Joey Barton remains out until the New Year as he recovers from his foot operation.