Premier League preview: Blackburn v Newcastle

Newcastle United will look to end a run of two defeats in succession when they visit Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League.

Alan Pardew’s Newcastle went down 5-2 away to Fulham in their last league match on January 21.

And they followed that up by exiting the FA Cup in the fourth round with a surprise 1-0 defeat away to Championship club Brighton a week later.

On Wednesday they will make the trip to face a Blackburn team who, by contrast, are unbeaten in their last two.

Rovers downed Fulham 3-1 at home on January 14, before managing a credible 1-1 draw away to Everton a week later.

They enjoyed a rest last weekend while other teams were in FA Cup action – Blackburn were already out of the competition courtesy of a 2-1 defeat away to Newcastle on January 7.

Visitors Rovers had led in that match at St James’ Park thanks to a David Goodwillie goal, but a Hatem Ben Arfa equaliser and Jonas Gutierrez’s 90th-minute strike saw Newcastle progress in dramatic fashion.

Pardew and his players are likely to be targeting a similar outcome or better at Ewood Park this week.

Newcastle strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse are available for the match following Senegal’s departure from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ba has scored 15 times in 19 appearances this season.

Cisse is yet to make his Newcastle debut, but did bag nine goals from 17 matches for Freiburg prior to his departure from the Bundesliga outfit earlier this month.

The duo’s return is welcome news for Pardew, particularly given the club’s lengthy injury list.

Fabricio Coloccini is in doubt with a groin strain, while fellow centre-back Steven Taylor is a long-term absentee.

In midfield, Ivory Coast man Cheick Tiote remains at the Cup of Nations, while Sylvain Marveaux is ruled out (groin).

And in attack, Sammy Ameobi and Nile Rangers are unavailable due to knee and foot injuries respectively.

For Blackburn, centre-back Christopher Samba is in doubt due to illness, and striker Ayegbeni Yakubu is suspended.