Premiership: Todd sticks with winning Rams

Derby boss Colin Todd is expected to keep faith with the side which grabbed three crucial points against Southampton last week for the Rams’ difficult trip to Newcastle.

Todd’s decision to name the same 16-man squad means goalkeeper Mart Poom has shown no ill-effects from last week’s comeback from a shoulder problem and will start.

Todd is expected to name Italian frontmen Fabrizio Ravanelli and Benito Carbone up front which could mean Malcolm Christie and Deon Burton once again have to be content with a place on the bench.

Young midfielder Adam Murray returned unscathed from midweek duty with the England under-20s, for whom he played 45 minutes against Portugal at Southampton.

Simo Valakari and Horacio Carbonari are both back in full training after injuries but are not match fit, while Brian O’Neil is out for at least a month following an ankle operation.

Team (from): Poom, Oakes, Zavagno, Higginbotham, Mawene, Riggott, Grenet, Burley, Powell, Carbone, Ravanelli, Christie, Burton, Boertien, Murray, Daino.