Notts County v Brentford preview

Published Dec. 14, 2012 7:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew could be without Hatem Ben Arfa for Saturday's Premier League meeting with Manchester City.

Midfielder Ben Arfa, who made a goalscoring return against Fulham on Monday night after missing four games due to a hamstring problem, is a major doubt after aggravating the injury.

Steven Taylor (hamstring) and Yohan Cabaye (groin surgery) remain on Newcastle's long-term casualty list.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is set to miss out after being substituted in the Manchester derby with a groin injury.

Kompany has a 'two per cent' chance of playing, according to manager Roberto Mancini, so either Kolo Toure or Joleon Lescott will deputise.

Midfielder Gareth Barry misses out through a one-match ban for verbally abusing a match official following City's defeat by United.

Lee Hughes and Jamal Campbell-Ryce could go back into the Notts starting line-up for the visit of the Bees.

The duo were expected to feature in the midweek FA Cup second-round replay with Rotherham but the game was postponed.

Both players have missed the last three games through suspension and striker Hughes is expected to battle it out with Chris Iwelumo for a starting berth.

Campbell-Ryce should replace fellow midfielder Alan Judge, who serves a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at Yeovil last weekend.

Defender Manny Smith made a return to action for the reserves following four months on the sidelines with a knee problem, but is unlikely to feature.

Andre Boucaud, Jordan Stewart, and Tom Williams continue to be ruled out through injury.

Brentford boss Uwe Rosler has no new injury worries to contend with, but Farid El Alagui, Kevin O'Connor and Tom Adeyemi are all still on the sidelines.

Striker El Alagui is recovering from a knee injury, club stalwart O'Connor is a long-term absentee with an ankle problem and fellow midfielder Adeyemi has hamstring trouble.

Rosler could stick with the side that secured a dramatic 3-2 win over MK Dons last weekend.

Jonathan Douglas, Marcello Trotta and Harry Forrester all shook off knocks to play in that game, while Paul Hayes, Sam Saunders and Jake Reeves are options for Rosler should he wish to tinker with his starting line-up.

Meanwhile, young defender Alfie Mawson has joined non-league Maidenhead on loan.