TEAM NEWSRoberto Martinez says Everton’s squad will be boosted by the return to fitness of four senior players during the busy festive fixture schedule.
James McCarthy, Phil Jagielka, Steven Pienaar and Bryan Oviedo are all closing in on first-team comebacks, although the Everton boss explained it is unlikely any of them will be ready for the St James’ Park clash.
For Newcastle, goalkeeper Rob Elliot continues to deputise for long-term absentee Tim Krul. Cheick Tiote returned from injury and made the bench for the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last time out.
FORMA recent uplift in form has seen Newcastle United pick up seven points from their last three fixtures.
The Magpies secured an impressive 2-0 victory over Liverpool at St James’ Park before a late, dramatic 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur.
Those back-to-back victories were then followed up with a 1-1 draw against struggling Aston Villa but despite an upturn in results, Steve McClaren’s side still lie near the foot of the table in 17th.
Everton, meanwhile, will travel to Tyneside hoping to bounce back from their 3-2 defeat to league leaders Leicester City last weekend.
Roberto Martinez’s side, however, have lost just once on the road in the league this season but will be hoping turn to draws into wins following three successive away stalemates against Norwich City, Bournemouth and West Ham United.
LAST MEETINGEverton 3-0 Newcastle United, Sunday 15 March 2015.
Goals from James McCarthy, Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley helped Everton to a convincing 3-0 victory over Newcastle United at Goodison Park.
McCarthy opened the scoring before Lukaku netted from the penalty spot after Aaron Lennon had been felled in the box.
Barkley then combined with substitute Christian Atsu to add a third and complete the victory over the Magpies.
KEY MAN – Georginio Wijnaldum
Since his £14.5million move from PSV in the summer, Wijnaldum has been an instant hit for Newcastle United.
At the age of 16 and 148 days, Wijnaldum became the youngest ever player to feature in Feyenoord’s first team in April 2007 before switching to PSV in June 2011.
The Dutch international scored 56 goals and created another 23 in 152 appearances across four years at PSV and skippered them to the Eredivisie title last season for the first time since 2008.
An attacking midfielder, Wijnaldrum has impressed for the Magpies and is currently the club’s top goalscorer this campaign with seven goals in 17 games.