Newcastle v Derby preview
Friday 3 February 2017 11:38, UK
Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez will attempt to shake off a treble disappointment as he looks to get the club's season back on track against promotion rivals Derby.
As if last weekend's FA Cup defeat at Sky Bet League One side Oxford was not enough, Benitez saw his team twice squander the lead to draw 2-2 with QPR on Wednesday evening a day after the Magpies failed to land transfer window target Andros Townsend.
The Spaniard will hope leading scorer Dwight Gayle is available after missing the last four games with a hamstring injury, while midfielder Jack Colback could return after missing out in midweek through illness.
Senegal midfielder Mohamed Diame was used as a late substitute following his return from the African Nations Cup and he could soon be joined by Chancel Mbemba after DR Congo's exit, but Ghana's Christian Atsu is still on international duty, while Vurnon Anita (ankle) and Rolando Aarons (knee) are injured.
Derby manager Steve McClaren returns to Newcastle, where he worked for nine months, and will be hoping to have David Nugent fit.
The former England international joined from Middlesbrough in the January transfer window but has been restricted to just one substitute appearance following a knee problem.
Nick Blackman and Ikechi Anya will also be pushing to start having been on the bench for the win at Ipswich following their own injuries.
Will Hughes (hamstring) is expected to miss out but should not be sidelined for too much longer.
