Newcastle v Barnsley

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Newcastle v Barnsley 15:00
Venue: St James' Park Date: Saturday, 6 March 2010 Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio, Final Score & highlights on The Football League Show

TEAM NEWS
Left-back Jose Enrique, striker Peter Lovenkrands (hamstring) and midfielder Nicky Butt (thigh) are all back in the Newcastle squad.

But Wayne Routledge (calf), Steven Taylor (knee) and Shola Ameobi (hamstring) remain sidelined.

Barnsley will assess striker Daniel Bogdanovic and midfielder Emil Hallfredsson following their return from international duty in midweek.

Tykes manager Mark Robins is expected to name an unchanged side.


MATCH PREVIEW
Barnsley have won their last two matches and twice came from behind to earn a deserved draw against Newcastle in a thrilling encounter at Oakwell earlier in the season.

It is that kind of battling spirit that has transformed Barnsley from possible relegation candidates to play-off chasers since Mark Robins took over as manager of the club in September.

They now face a big test of their credentials against the Championship leaders, who are six points clear at the top of the table and are the only team in the division yet to lose at home this season.

But the Tykes have shown no fear against quality opposition and will relish the trip to Tyneside. Seven of Barnsley's 13 league wins have been against clubs currently in the top nine.


MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• This is the 30th league meeting of Newcastle and Barnsley. Both clubs have won 10 of the previous 29, with nine draws.

• Barnsley are vying for only their fourth away league victory over the Magpies. The most recent was in September 1982.

Newcastle

• Newcastle have won their last three league matches and their last four at home.

• They have won more matches (20) and lost fewer (four) than any other team in the Championship.

• Fifty-five of Newcastle's 69 points have come from matches in which they have scored first.

• Kevin Nolan is set to make his 300th career league start.

Barnsley

• Barnsley have gone 12 matches without a draw.

• The Tykes have committed 432 fouls in Championship matches this season - more than any other side.

• They are the only team in the top 15 to have lost as many as 14 games this season.


MOST RECENT MEETING

Barnsley 2-2 Newcastle (12 December 2009)

Barnsley scorers: Hallfredsson 52, Hassell 87.

Newcastle scorers: Nolan 6, Harewood 78.