PREM: Newcastle v Brighton preview

Newcastle v Brighton preview

Ciaran Clark will be sidelined for Newcastle United as they look to improve on their worst ever start to a top-flight season when they welcome Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

The defender has been undergoing treatment since withdrawing from the Republic of Ireland squad for Tuesday night's Nations League defeat to Wales with thigh injury suffered in training, but will not make the weekend's game.

Rafa Benitez's side are without a win in their opening nine games of the season, but the Spaniard is confident they are close to turning a corner.

He said: "The first win is almost the most difficult and as soon as we win the first game, we will start having more confidence and it will be easier for us."

Brighton are winless in their last 17 Premier League away games (D5 L12) and manager Chris Hughton wants his side to improve on the road - starting on Saturday.

"Looking at it logically, they'll be the favourites as they're the home side and we've both faced a similar calibre of opposition so far this term," he said.

"I think it will be a bit of a relief for them that they're not playing one of the league's so-called bigger sides in the top six. We've also had some very tough games, and this is another one for us - we know it's a challenge to do better away from home for ourselves."

Newcastle defender Paul Dummett (hamstring) is available, but while Salomon Rondon (also thigh) has returned to light training, he is still out, as is Florian Lejeune (knee).

Brighton will be without midfielder Davy Propper, who suffered an ankle injury in the victory over West Ham before the international break and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.

But Pascal Gross could be involved after returning to training following an ankle problem of his own, while fellow Dale Stephens (hamstring) and Gaetan Bong (knee) face late fitness tests.