Brighton (A) – Match Preview

Date – Saturday 28th January

Kick off – 1715

Venue – Falmer Stadium (AMEX)

Competition – FA Cup 4th Round

TV – Live on ESPN (UK)

Newcastle United (Form last 6 – WLWWWL)

Alan Pardew has revealed that he intends to play his strongest possible side this weekend to try and keep his sides’ FA Cup hopes alive. His efforts to reinforce a threadbare defence, however, have faltered with any signing now unlikely to be completed in time to make their debut this weekend.

Reports indicate that inspirational skipper Fabricio Colocinni will have a late fitness test on a groin injury picked up in training this week.

Senegalese strikers Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba are unavailable for this tie in spite of Senegal’s elimination from the African Cup of Nations. Both players are expected to report for training early next week. Cheick Tiote is also away in Africa but his Ivory Coast team look set to remain in the competition for the duration.

Long term injury victims Sylvain Marveaux, Steven Taylor, Nile Ranger and Sammy Ameobi remain sidelined.

Brighton and Hove Albion (Form last 6 – LWDLWW)

For Brighton, former Magpie, Kazenga LuaLua, is hopeful of a return to action after a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Midfielders Vicente and Craig Noon are also in contention for a first team recall after injuries.

Defenders Marcos Painter and Tommy Elphick and midfielder Gary Dicker are all on the long-term injury list.

NUFC likely line-up – Krul; Santon, Simpson, Colocinni, Williamson; Cabaye, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Ben Arfa; Shola Ameobi, Best

NUFCfans Prediction – BHAFC 1 – 3 NUFC