Preview: Newcastle United vs. Stoke City

Newcastle United are not yet clear of safety in the Premier League but a win against Stoke on Sunday will ease their relegation fears greatly.

The Magpies go into the match on the back of an encouraging away Russian stalemate at Anzhi in Europe, where they became the first team to stop the Russian side scoring at home in the Europa League.

Hatem Ben Arfa made his return from injury in Moscow but a dead leg could see his return to the side halted while Papiss Cisse should return up front after missing Thursday's game with a virus.

Mathieu Debuchy and Yoan Gouffran will come back after being ineligible for the European tie, but Fabricio Coloccini and Tim Krul are still out injured.

Visiting Stoke will be looking to complete the double over Newcastle and Tony Pulis could welcome back winger Matthew Etherington, who was brought off in last month's defeat at Fulham.

Robert Huth is serving the second of a three-match ban and so Marc Wilson is likely to fill in at centre-back.

Recent form

Newcastle: DLWWDL

Stoke: LLWLDL

Possible starting lineups

Newcastle: Elliot; Debuchy, S Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon; Cabaye, Tiote; Sissoko, Gutierrez, Gouffran; Cisse

Stoke: Begovic; Shotton, Shawcross, Wilson, Wilkinson; Whelan, Nzonzi; Walters, Kightly, Etherington; Crouch

Sports Mole says: 2-0