Palace v Newcastle United

Selhurst Park, Saturday 3.00pm

Andy Johnson

Team news

The Eagles striker missed last Saturday's 3-2 reverse at Liverpool with a hip injury but could return. Dougie Freedman will retain his place up front if AJ is not fit.

Fitz Hall is close to recovering from his knee injury after also missing the Anfield trip last weekend.

Boss Iain Dowie will be hoping Ben Watson, Wayne Routledge, Joonas Kolkka, Ivan Kaviedes, Gabor Kiraly, Sandor Torghelle and Vassilis Lakis all have returned from international duty without injury.

Newcastle's Alan Shearer is a major doubt after picking up a thigh strain during a training session this week.

Defender Stephen Carr (knee) and Andy O'Brien (hamstring) are out for a month.

Newcastle United - league stats

Full league table

Newcastle United - current form

Full form table

Our home record v Newcastle United

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
05/01/2002	FA Cup	Newcastle United	2 - 0	Crystal Palace
02/01/1999	FA Cup	Newcastle United	2 - 1	Crystal Palace
18/03/1998	League	Newcastle United	1 - 2	Crystal Palace
29/11/1997	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 2	Newcastle United
14/05/1995	League	Newcastle United	3 - 2	Crystal Palace

All time results

One to watch

Jermaine Jenas

With the exclusion of the english legend Alan Shearer there has been much debate about who can replace him as the 12W this week.

The winner (marginally) was Jermaine Jenas.

He has class defined to its greatness. has the ability to boss midfield and knock decisive balls over the top for the striker to run on to.

He is strong, powerful, yet also skillful, and can hit a 5p piece from 50 yards with a pass, making him difficult to play against and is also very quick and can play in numerous positions.

Other players that will fight nobly for the Newcastle cause include:

Craig Bellamy who has also scored 5 (league) goals this season alongside Alan Shearer is always a threat, has speed and agility but likes to dive a lot. Watch him. He could be another Baros.

Shay Given in the Newcastle goal is a top keeper who will be very hard to beat.

Patrick Kluivert the staunch striker who works very hard on and off the ball. He is a famous dutch international player who is an absolutely fantastic player. Some people may think he is past it but he definately isn't. Do not let him have a sniff of a chance. He will do things to us that will make us look very silly indeed.

Newcastle have many great players and we will have to watch all players from all sides.

Last meeting

English Premiership - 29/11/97, KO 19:45

Crystal Palace 1-2 Newcastle Utd Shipperley 67 Ketsbaia 45 Tomasson 63

Palace: Miller, Edworthy, Gordon, Roberts (Zohar 48), Linighan, Warhurst, Shipperley, Dyer (Smith 15), Padovano (Emblen 57), Rodger, Hreidarsson. Subs not used: Nash, Veart.

Newcastle: Hislop, Batty, Peacock, Barnes (Lee 64), Pearce, Ketsbaia, Tomasson, Gillespie, Watson, Hamilton, Pistone. Subs not used: Srnicek, Crawford, Albert, Hughes.

Bookings: Warhurst (C Palace) Batty, Lee, Peacock (Newcastle).

Attendance: 26,085.

Referee: M A Riley (Leeds)

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