Newcastle travel down the A19 to face Middlesbrough looking for their first away win of the season.
Tees-Tyne clash is opening derby of the weekend
Newcastle travel down the A19 to face North East rivals Middlesbrough looking for their first away win of the season.
Joe Kinnear, celebrating his appointment as Magpies boss until the end of the season, will be confident of getting something on Teesside given Newcastle's excellent record at The Riverside.
Newcastle have won on six of their 12 visits to the banks of the Tees, although the last victory in the fixture was for Boro in 2006 - as the last three matches have all ended in draws.
Boro are still licking their wounds from their 3-1 capitulation to Bolton last weekend. Victory would have taken Gareth Southgate's men into seventh, but now they are again looking over their shoulders with third from bottom Newcastle just four points adrift.
Newcastle come into the game following their excellent goalless draw at Chelsea, so confidence is high - although the stalemate at Stamford Bridge marked their tenth away game without a win, indeed the travelling Magpies faithful have seen just three wins in their last 29 away trips.
Team news
The main interest, possibly for both fans - comes with the news that former Boro star Mark Viduka could be a shock return to the Newcastle squad with a place on the bench.
The Australian, vilified for his decision to quit Teesside for Tyneside by the Middlesbrough locals, scored on his return to The Riverside last season.
Another major boost for Newcastle is the likelihood Steven Taylor will also be involved after a long-standing stomach problem - although he may have to accompany Viduka on the bench.
Kinnear is already without Alan Smith, Joey Barton, Xisco and Nacho Gonzalez - but he is likely to name an unchanged side for the trip.
Boro boss Gareth Southgate looks set to make changes to the side which lost to Bolton.
Robert Huth is back in training but is unlikely to be involved - although Chris Riggott will be hoping to overcome his hamstring worries.
Likewise, Mido could come into contention if he overcomes his groin issues.
Both players would be in line for call-ups to the starting XI if they were fit. Under-fire record signing Afonso Alves would see his place threatened by Mido, whilst Justin Hoyte, David Wheater and Andrew Taylor could all easily make way for Riggott - with only captain Emanuel Pogatetz unlikely to be dropped.
In midfield, Julio Arca will also be pressing for a recall, with Didier Digard or Jeremie Aliadiere - who could be moved up front - likely to make way.
Possible starting XIs:
Boro: Turnbull, Hoyte, Wheater, Pogatetz, Taylor, Downing, O'Neil, Arca, Digard, Aliadiere, Tuncay
Newcastle: Given, Beye, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Butt, Duff, Martins, Owen
