Newcastle v Fulham preview

Relegation six-pointer on Tyneside

Last updated: 21st March 2008

Birmingham v Newcastle Kevin Keegan

Keegan: Looking for first win

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Newcastle host Fulham on Saturday looking for their first win since December.

The Magpies' torrid run of from has seen them dragged into the relegation battle as they sit just four points off the bottom three.

Fulham are entrenched in trouble as they are four points adrift of safety - although they gave themselves a huge boost last week with victory over Everton.

Now the Cottagers travel to St James' Park looking for their first away win of the season. Fulham have actually not won away for 18 months, when coincidentally they won at Newcastle.

Fulham actually have a good record of late on Tyneside with two wins and a draw in their last three visits - although Newcastle only have to look back to December for their last win over the London side when they secured all three points on their visit to Craven Cottage.

Team news

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan, who is still looking for his first win since returning to the club, has no new injury problems going into the game.

No.1 Shay Given is still out meaning Steve Harper continues in goal.

James Milner, Emre and Stephen Carr are all sidelined, but Damien Duff, Alan Smith and Charles N'Zogbia are all looking for recalls after being left out at Birmingham on Monday.

Following victory over Everton, Fulham boss Roy Hodgson looks unlikely to make wholesale changes, if indeed any.

Alexei Smertin is fit and hoping for a recall, but Danny Murphy, Leon Andreasen and Jimmy Bullard have all been performing well in central midfield and look set to continue.

The game also marks Bullard's first return to Newcastle since he seriously damaged his knee there 18 months ago.

Philippe Christanval and January signing Jari Litmanen remain sidelined for Fulham.