Likely Line Ups:
NEWCASTLE (4-4-2): Harper; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Enrique; Guthrie, Smith, Nolan, Gutierrez; Best, Carroll.
BARNSLEY (4-4-2): Steele, Foster, Dickinson, Hassell, Shotton; Teixeira, Doyle, Hammill, Colace; Macken, Bogdanovic.
Newcastle subs (from): Krul (gk), R Taylor, Hall, Kadar, Butt, Pancrate, Ranger, Lovenkrands.
Barnsley subs (from): Preece (gk), De Silva, Hallfredsson, Gray, Potter, Butterfield, Hume, Trippier.
NEWCASTLE: Jose Enrique will return at left-back after recovering from a hamstring injury. The Spaniard replaces Patrick van Aanholt, who has returned to Chelsea following the end of his loan spell. Peter Lovenkrands is available again after shaking off a hamstring problem of his own, but the Dane may have to settle for a place on the bench with Leon Best set to partner Andy Carroll. Joey Barton is back in full training, but will not be considered for todays game.
Suspensions: None
Injuries: S Taylor (knee), Routledge (calf), Ameobi (hamstring), Vuckic (ankle)
Last five league games: WWWDL
Leading league scorer: Nolan 11
Next game: vs Middlesbrough (A) 13/03/10
BARNSLEY: Mark Robins is poised to name an unchanged side following last weekend's 1-0 win over Blackpool. The Tykes boss is confident striker Daniel Bogdanovic and midfielder Emil Hallfredsson will be available after midweek international duty with Malta and Iceland respectively. Defender Rob Kozluk is not expected to return at this stage following a knee injury.
Suspensions: None
Injuries: Kozluk (knee), Moore (leg)
Last five league games: WWLLL
Leading league scorer: Bogdanovic 7
Key Player: Roberto Colace - The Argentinian midfielder pulls the strings at the heart of the Barnsley midfield.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
League head to head: Newcastle 10, Barnsley 10, Draws 9
Referee: Grant Hegley (Bishops Stortford) G26 Y21 R0 Ave: 0.81
Last Newcastle game: vs Coventry (A) 09/12/09 Y1 R0
Odds: H2/5; A11/2; D3/1
It's a fact: Barnsley's last win at St James' Park was a 2-1 victory in September 1982.
Comment by SCOTT WILSON: Barnsley are in decent form, but it's hard to imagine Newcastles unbeaten home record ending here.
Prediction: 2-0
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here