NEWCASTLE (4-4-1-1): Harper, Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini, Enrique; Guthrie, Smith, Butt, Gutierrez; Nolan, Carroll.

PETERBOROUGH (4-4-2): Lewis, Martin, Morgan, Zakuani, Batt; Frecklington, Diagouraga, Coutts, Boyd; McLean, Mackail-Smith.

Newcastle subs (from): Krul (gk), Kadar, Tozer, Geremi, Lua Lua, Donaldson, Lovenkrands, Harewood, Ranger.

Peterborough subs (from): Day (gk), McKeown, Rowe, Pearce, Keates, Lee, Whelpdale, Griffiths.

NEWCASTLE: Steven Taylor returns to Newcastle's starting line-up following a four-game lay-off through injury. With Zurab Khizanishvili still suspended following his dismissal against Doncaster, Taylor will replace Tamas Kadar from the side that won at Sheffield United on Monday. Andy Carroll was a lone striker in that game, and Chris Hughton is again expected to overlook Marlon Harewood and play Kevin Nolan in a more attacking role.

Suspensions: Khizanishvili

Injuries: Ameobi (foot), Barton (foot)

Last five league games: WWLLD

Leading league scorer: Nolan 7

Next game: vs Preston (A) 23/11/09

PETERBOROUGH: Posh goalkeeper Joe Lewis will go straight into his side's starting XI after serving a one-match suspension. Striker Craig Mackail-Smith, who scored in Peterborough's Carling Cup win over Newcastle, is also expected to return after an ankle injury. Midfielder Paul Coutts should also start after shaking off a foot injury, but left-back Tom Williams (ankle) is unavailable.

Suspensions: None

Injuries: Williams (ankle)

Last five league games: LWLDL

Leading league scorer: Boyd 7

Key Player: Craig Mackail-Smith - The striker ran a makeshift Newcastle defence ragged in the League Cup.

Last season: No corresponding game

League head to head: Newcastle 2, Peterborough 0, Draws 0

Referee: Andy DUrso (Billericay) G11 Y43 R1 Ave: 4.00

Last Newcastle game: vs Crystal Palace (A) 22/08/09 W2-0 Y3 R0

Odds: H4/9; A5/1; D11/4

It's a fact: Peterborough have never won a league game at St James', but they did win a seven-goal thriller on Tyneside in the League Cup in 1965.

Comment by BILLY SCOTT: I'm off to see The Comedy of Errors at the theatre tomorrow morning, so let's hope there's not another one on the pitch in the afternoon.

Prediction: 3-0