Newcastle v Chelsea preview

Published Dec. 2, 2011 7:17 a.m. ET

foxsports

Newcastle midfielder Cheik Tiote will be missing once again as he attempts to shake off a knee problem. The Ivory Coast international, who has been sidelined since the end of October, is also a doubt for next weekend's trip to Norwich, although manager Alan Pardew is confident he does not need surgery. Winger Jonas Gutierrez is suspended after being sent-off at Manchester United last Saturday, but striker Leon Best (groin) has returned to training and is available. Chelsea will be without Josh McEachran on Tyneside. The midfielder was forced from the field in Tuesday's Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool with an injury to his left ankle, which he is expected to recover from in less than a fortnight. Long-term knee injury victim Michael Essien is the Blues' only other absentee. Newcastle (from): Krul, Elliot, Simpson, R. Taylor, Santon, Ferguson, Coloccini, S. Taylor, Perch, Cabaye, Gosling, Guthrie, Obertan, Ben Arfa, Sammy Ameobi, Abeid, Vuckic, Smith, Ba, Best, Shola Ameobi, Lovenkrands. Chelsea (from): Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Cole, Luiz, Mikel, Romeu, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Malouda, Meireles, Torres, Drogba, Kalou, Sturridge, Lukaku, Turnbull.