Newcastle v Wolves

Barclays Premier League
Venue: St James’ Park Date: Saturday, 2 April Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: Watch highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

TEAM NEWS

Newcastle will assess Jose Enrique’s hamstring problem, while Leon Best is out with an ankle injury.

Danny Guthrie is expected to deputise for key midfielder Cheik Tiote, who begins a two-game suspension.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy says Sylvan Ebanks-Blake will replace Kevin Doyle, who hurt his knee playing for Ireland.

McCarthy has confirmed that will be the only change from the side which won at Aston Villa, although Michael Mancienne and Stephen Hunt could be on the bench.

Newcastle

Suspended: Tiote (two matches), R Taylor (one match)

Doubtful: Enrique (hamstring), Ireland (thigh)

Injured: Ben Arfa (broken leg), Best (ankle), Gosling (knee), Smith (ankle)

Wolves

Doubtful: Guedioura (fitness)

Injured: Doyle (knee), Edwards & Zubar (both back)

MATCH PREVIEW

The last time Wolves won a top-flight match at Newcastle was 7 February 1959, the same day Wanderers boss Mick McCarthy was born. A fortnight ago McCarthy’s side claimed their first win at Aston Villa for 31 years, but if they are to end their long wait for victory at St James’ Park they will have to cope without key man Kevin Doyle.

The rest of the team is the same apart from Doyle… Anyone who is watching this can sort their free-kicks and corners out. I don’t give a flying hoot Wolves boss Mick McCarthy

The Republic of Ireland striker damaged knee ligaments on international duty and will be sidelined for between four and eight weeks, potentially ruling him out of Wolves’ remaining fixtures.

While Wolves’ survival hopes have risen following a run of one defeat in six games, the reverse is true for opponents Newcastle. The Magpies begin the weekend in midtable but have won only one of their last nine league games, and are just four points above the relegation zone.

Newcastle this week announced financial results which show they made a £17m loss last season, which they spent in the Championship. The club are now far better off, thanks in part to the £35m raised by Andy Carroll’s sale, but the figures are a timely reminder of just how much is stake between now and the end of the season.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• All three of the previous Premier League games between the sides ended in 1-1 draws. The reverse fixture in August produced 12 yellow cards, more than any other fixture this term.

• Wolves’ last top-flight win at St James’ Park was a 4-3 victory on 7 February 1959.

Newcastle

• The Magpies have won only one of their last 10 games in league and cup (against Birmingham on 15 February).

• They have drawn five of their last nine matches.

• Newcastle have won just one of their last six Premier League games at St James’ Park.

Wolves

• Wolves are unbeaten in their last four league matches, and their only defeat in the last six was at Arsenal.

• Despite victory at Villa Park a fortnight ago, Wolves’ away record is the worst in the top-flight. They have taken eight points from their 15 league games away from Molineux.

• Fit-again winger Michael Kightly could make his first appearance since November 2009.

• Matt Jarvis has delivered 290 crosses this season, more than any other top-flight player.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Newcastle

Nolan: 11 goals (11 league); Ameobi: 7 goals (4 league)

NB. Carroll scored 11 goals (11 league) for Newcastle

Wolves

Doyle: 8 goals (5 league); Fletcher: 7 goals (5 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Mike Dean

Assistant referees: Glenn Turner & Andy Halliday

Fourth official: Mark Haywood

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Newcastle (L0-4 v Stoke, a): Harper, Coloccini, Williamson, Campbell (Gutierrez 66), Jose Enrique (Ferguson 23), Simpson, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Lovenkrands (Ranger 61), Ameobi. Subs not used: Krul, Guthrie, Steven Taylor, Kuqi.

Wolves (W1-0 v Aston Villa, a): Hennessey, Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi, Hammill (Ebanks-Blake 64), Henry, Milijas, O’Hara, Jarvis (Ward 80), Doyle. Subs not used: Hahnemann, Craddock, Kightly, Fletcher, David Jones.