Game On! Newcastle v Norwich

Game On at St James' Newcastle host Norwich City this afternoon as the domestic season resumes once more after a brief journey into Europe and back.

The home side have drawn the last three on the spin in all competitions and will be looking to get back to winning ways knowing that three points against former manager Chris Hughton's Canary outfit will catapult the misfiring Magpies back into the top half of the table.

I expect no tired excuses aside perhaps from our defence as this will be the third ninety minutes that some of them will have played within the space of six days. Add to that the travelling to and from Madeira and you can perhaps see why some of our defence may just be a little bit jaded, the poor souls...

Hopefully it doesn't boil down to our defence and perhaps we can instead focus on some attacking threat? None of our big hitting attacking players made the trip to Madeira in midweek so I expect no excuses of tiredness from any of them, or anybody in our midfield for that matter.

If you choose to, you can read Shamrock's most excellent match preview by clicking here. It's full of fun facts and fascinating titbits regarding the history of both clubs, both in general and from when they have faced off against each other, with some sound and solid thoughts ahead of the game today.

Unfortunately this is a kick-off that has been moved due to our Europa League commitments which means that the game is not being broadcast live here in the UK. Instead Sky are fizzing themselves silly over another "Super Sunday" which has seen the "random" fixture computer schedule clashes between the bigger sides all on the same day. Funny that... Consequently if you can locate a stream and wish to share it with fellow NUFC fans then you can do so by posting the link in the 'comments' section below.

Which just about wraps this up. Team news, as ever, will be posted below as and when it becomes available.

Will it be happy returns for Hughton? Or will Pardew p*ss on his parade?

Howay the lads!

Newcastle: Harper; Perch, Williamson, S.Taylor, Santon; Ben Arfa, Anita, Cabaye, Gutierrez (c); Cisse, Ba

Subs: Elliot, Tavernier, Bigirimana, Tiote, Sammy Ameobi, Obertan, Shola Ameobi.

Norwwich: Ruddy; Martin (c), Bassong, Barnett, Garrido; Robert Snodgrass, Johnson, Howson, Surman, Hoolahan; Morison

Subs: Turner, Bennett, Tettey, Pilkington, Holt, Jackson.