Squad sheets: Newcastle United v Wigan Athletic

Hugo Rodallega has returned from injury and is expected to start for Wigan against Newcastle
  
  


A manager's injury list frequently serves as a decent litmus test of both his popularity and general squad morale. After an unbeaten beginning to the season, it is perhaps not entirely coincidental that Alan Pardew has virtually a full complement of fit players to choose from. Even better for the Newcastle manager, there is strong competition for places in several key positions. Roberto Martínez lacks similar options but the Wigan manager will be delighted to welcome his key striker, Hugo Rodallega, back from injury as the vistiors aim to arrest a run of five straight league defeats. Louise Taylor

Venue St James' Park, Saturday 3pm

Tickets £26-51 (0844 372 1892)

Last season Newcastle 2 Wigan 2

Referee Neil Swarbrick

This season's matches 2 Y4, R1, 2.50 cards per game

Odds Newcastle 8-13 Wigan 11-2 Draw 3-1

Newcastle

Subs from Elliot, Harper, Santon, Kadar, Ferguson, Marveaux, Gosling, Abeid, Best, Ben Arfa, Smith, Sammy Ameobi, Vuckic, Ranger, Lovenkrands

Doubtful Coloccini (toe)

Injured Williamson (ankle, 5 Nov)

Suspended None

Form guide DWWDDW

Disciplinary record Y15 R0

Leading scorer Ba 5

Wigan

Subs from Nicholls, Pollitt, Gohouri, Thomas, Crusat, Maloney, Gómez, Stam, McArthur, Sammon, Jones, Van Aanholt, López, Dicko, Buxton

Doubtful None

Injured None

Suspended None

Form guide LLLLLW

Disciplinary record Y16 R1

Leading scorer Di Santo 3

Match pointers

• Newcastle are unbeaten in 11 consecutive top-flight games for the first time since Ausgust 1997

• At 5ft 5in tall, the Wigan winger Albert Crusat is currently the shortest player in the Premier League

• Newcastle defenders have cleared five shots off their goaline this season, more than any other side

• Wigan's run of five defeats in a row is their worst run of results since November 2007

• Ryan Taylor has scored four goals in games between these sides – all against Newcastle while playing for Wigan

 

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