EPL: Newcastle v West Brom preview

Newcastle v West Brom preview

West Brom's unlikely fight for survival continues at Newcastle Utd on Saturday.

The Baggies are eight points adrift from safety but have picked up five in their last three games - including an impressive 1-0 win at Old Trafford.

Caretaker Darren Moore is refusing to talk about the possibility of relegation, which could be confirmed if West Brom fail to win on Tyneside.

 

"We can't preempt what happens this week - we'll focus on a good team performance and the continuation of the results we've been getting in the last few weeks.

"We can't get drawn into 'what ifs'. We're going up there for a difficult game and not focusing on other things around us and it would be wrong to preempt. We're planning to play a very good team on their patch.

West Brom's caretaker manager Darren Moore gave a stern response to Jurgen Klopp's claim that their draw against Liverpool was 'useless'

 

"I expect a high-energy game - it's a wonderful arena to play football in - and there are two teams battling it out to get a result. We have to work extremely hard and show a good appetite to get anything."

Newcastle had won four games in a row before losing 1-0 to Everton on Monday Night Football.

They are clear of the relegation battle and might have their sights on catching eighth-placed Everton, who are four points ahead.

 

On-loan Daniel Sturridge could make his first start since February. The forward returned as a substitute against Manchester United this month, following a hamstring injury, although he was ineligible to face parent club Liverpool last week.

Nacer Chadli (hip) is fit, but while James Morrison (Achilles) has returned to training, he is unlikely to feature for the rest of the season.

Newcastle pair Christian Atsu and Mikel Merino will miss Saturday's match because of knee injuries.

Striker Islam Slimani, who played for an hour at Goodison Park, could start his first home game for the Magpies.