Perch poised for Magpies

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton welcomes full-back James Perch back from suspension for Stoke’s visit to St James’ Park on Sunday.

The former Nottingham Forest defender sat out the 4-3 Carling Cup victory at Chelsea after collecting five bookings in his first five competitive games for the club.

Sol Campbell got 90 minutes under his belt at Stamford Bridge and will hope for a start, and Tim Krul will deputise in goal for Steve Harper, who is facing 12 weeks on the sidelines after undergoing shoulder surgery.

The game will come too soon for Danny Simpson (ankle) and Danny Guthrie (knee) despite their return to training, while Steven Taylor (shoulder) is expected to resume in two weeks’ time, although Dan Gosling (knee) is still some way away.

Team (from): Krul, Soderberg, R Taylor, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Campbell, Kadar, Smith, Tiote, Barton, Routledge, Gutierrez, Ben Arfa, Vuckic, Tavernier, Donaldson, Nolan, Carroll, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Ranger, Best.