The Man To Ease Newcastle's Worries ...

Last updated : 13 December 2013 By Footy Mad - Editor

Team news for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash between Newcastle and Southampton.

Morgan Schneiderlin may not travel due to a pelvic complaint and, even if he does, is not fit enough for a full 90 minutes at St James' Park.

Victor Wanyama, Nathaniel Clyne, Guly do Prado and Danny Fox are definitely sidelined, while Paulo Gazzaniga will again start in goal as Artur Boruc and back-up Kelvin Davis remain out.

Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye will miss the match through suspension.

The France international picked up his fifth booking of the season during last weekend's 1-0 Barclays Premier League victory at Manchester United and will sit out as the Magpies look for a fourth successive home win.

Manager Alan Pardew otherwise has no fresh selection problems as he prepares for a meeting with one of his former clubs.

Teams

Newcastle (from): Krul, Elliot, Debuchy, Coloccini, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, S. Taylor, Santon, Dummett, Haidara, Tiote, Anita, Marveaux, Sissoko, Ben Arfa, Gutierrez, Sammy Ameobi, Bigirimana, Obertan, Cisse, Remy, Gouffran, Shola Ameobi.

Southampton (from): Gazzaniga, Cropper, Britt, Chambers, Shaw, Targett, Fonte, Lovren, Hooiveld, Yoshida, Cork, Davis, Ward-Prowse, Reed, Lallana, Ramirez, Rodriguez, Gallagher, Osvaldo, Lambert.

Vurnon Anita has been backed to ease the pain of Yohan Cabaye’s absence against Southampton.

Alan Pardew: “It’s a blow, because Yohan’s our creative influence.

“It looks like Southampton will be without Schneiderlin, which would even it up a little bit. He’s their creative influence.

“That helps the cause, but, of course, in Anita – who will play – we have a player who is of the quality of Cheik (Tiote) and Cabaye.

“We’ve got nothing to worry about, really.

“There were games last year in which Vurnon struggled a little bit, but what he’s done is address those issues.

“He looks stronger and fitter. He certainly has more experience in the Premier League, and that’s been reflected in his performances.

“He’s justified why we paid a lot of money for him.”