Newcastle host Leicester in a bank holiday clash that could see either side go top of the table. Will it be the Foxes who claw their way to the top or will the Magpies be flying high?

This is a match which might be dubbed as the clash of the caretakers. Chris Hughton, still in charge of Newcastle for his third temporary spell, on top of a spell at Spurs will welcome Nigel Pearson’s return to St James’. Hughton’s future in the hot seat will surely depend on the ownership talks apparently still ongoing.

Pearson himself managed 2 brief spells as Newcastle’s caretaker, winning the last of his games as Keegan sat in the stands with Stoke the FA Cup visitors, his only home game in charge. He had previously been caretaker at current league leaders West Brom and after leaving the Toon, went on to manage Southampton for 3 months, saving them from relegation and sending down Leicester in the process.

Pearson was the man who brought Leicester back up as League 1 champions, and has started the campaign unbeaten, with the 2^nd best defensive record in the Championship with only two goals conceded, 1 more than today’s hosts. The goals for column shows that Ameobi has scored as many at home as Leicester in total in the league.

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Ameobi will be looking for a first, should he be allowed to play with his foot injury. Shola knows how to play through the pain barrier, having had arguably his best spell whilst carrying a hip injury.

Should he score, this will be the first time in Shola’s career that he will have scored for 4 home matches in a row, including the goal against Huddersfield, and the first time in 3 consecutive home league games since 2006. A single goal would put him level with Rob Lee in the all time scorers’ list.

If Shola doesn’t make it, striking options are limited, with Carroll and Xisco out and Smith not having scored in the league for almost 4 years. This could mean that Ranger is set for his full home league debut, possibly with Nolan in support, clearly relishing the opportunity to get forward with 2 goals in 2 games.

Injuries will also force a reshuffle in midfield, with Gutierrez missing with a hamstring problem. If not up front, Smith looks set to hold on to a midfield place, although Butt is ready after showing no reaction to dodgy digit following the Carling Cup win over Huddersfield. Ryan Taylor or Guthrie could switch to the left, allowing a return for Barton. Waiting in the wings is Lua Lua, who was handed his Newcastle debut in the first match after Pearson’s spell in charge.

The defence that has only conceded one goal in the league should pick itself, with Simpson, Steve Taylor, Coloccini and Enrique. Steve Harper in goal will seek to achieve 4 clean sheets in a row for the first time in his career.

Seeking to stop Harper from making his record will be a Geordie striker hoping to start after injury, Steve Howard, last seen at St James’ with an assist to put Derby County ahead in a match that ended 2-2. He also figured in Derby’s only home win that season, against Newcastle United. Out of his 15 goals last season 9 were scored on Leicester’s travels.

Definitely starting will be top scorer, Matty Fryatt, who was developed at Walsall under Newcastle Academy coach Richard Money. Among those waiting in the background is young mackem loanee, Martyn Waghorn, scorer of the Tigers’ first of the campaign.

Midfield is expected to be a blend of youth and experience, the oldest head being Matthew Oakley, embarking on a career with Southampton, Derby and Leicester.

Youthful enthusiasm comes from former Blackburn winger Paul Gallagher, ammunition from the other side coming perhaps from Lloyd Dyer, an alternative threat being young French new boy, Dany N’Guissan. Craig King is backup either for the strikers or midfield. The other experienced head is that of Richie Wellens, who gained promotion last season with Doncaster, having been unable to make the first team at ManU as a youngster.

The mean defence is likely to include former Hearts stalwart, another new signing, Robbie Nelson, alongside the young Jack Hobbs, former Liverpool reserve team mate of Danny Guthrie. Leicester’s answer to Marc Hottiger is Bruno Berner, another player let go by Allardyce at Blackburn. Completing the quartet is Wayne Brown, unable to make the Hull team that only conceded 2 goals in 4 matches against Newcastle last season.

Goalkeeper, Chris Weale has spent most of his career with Yeovil, having played for them over 200 times. The highlight of his career must surely be scoring a last minute equalizer for Yeovil and being awarded Sky Sport’s goal of the week ahead of Arshavin and Robinho.

Referee for the day is also a newcomer to St James’, Lancashire based Neil Swarbrick. The Tigers will be less keen to see him after witnessing 2 home defeats in matches under his direction. A further home draw and away draw are the best 2 results that Leicester achieved under Swarbrick.

Bookies’ odds favour the home win, unsurprisingly since in 15 2^nd tier encounters at St James’, the Tigers have only managed 2 draws with 13 defeats. The last 2^nd level match between the two ended as a 7-1 home win with hat tricks from David Kelly and Andy Cole.

The other 2^nd tier hat trick at home against Leicester was by Peddie in 1898, with Micky Quinn also scoring one away. 12 years ago in the top flight, Shearer joined Loughlin (1925) and White (1958) as the only players to achieve the same in the top flight.

This should be a tight encounter with potential for flair in both sides, and two coaches who were defenders showing signs of good organization this season. History favours the home win, with anything other than a home defeat seeing the Toon Army at the top of the table.

Record at St James’ Park

Home win 35, Draw13 (3 x 0-0), Away win 9, HG 113 (Av 1.98) AG 67 (Av 1.18)

2^nd tier matches

Home win 12, Draw 3 (1 x 0-0), Away win 0, HG 32 (Av 2.13) AG 13 (Av 0.87)

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