Newcastle vs Stoke City

Alan Pardew’s men will be looking to record a double over the Potters to improve their top-four challenge, with the Potters bidding for another top-half finish with Tony Pulis.Newcastle look set to make just one change from the side that comfortably defeated Bolton 2-0 on Easter Monday as they seek to continue their unlikely bid for Champions League football.Midfield anchorman Cheikh Tiote is fit again after a recurrence of a hamstring injury forced him out of the win over the Trotters, and may take the place of James Perch, who is doubtful with a thigh problem.Goalkeeper Tim Krul is expected to shake off a back problem picked up in training in midweek, and there is a chance that Leon Best, Gabriel Obertan and Danny Guthrie could return from knee, ankle and calf injuries respectively, but they may only be fit enough for the bench.Midfielder Sylvain Marveaux has returned to training after hip and groin surgery, but this game is expected to come a little to soon for the Frenchman. Steven Taylor, Peter Lovenkrands and Sammy Ameobi are all out.Stoke boss Tony Pulis has only one major doubt for the trip to the Sports Direct Arena, with winger Jermaine Pennant suffering from flu, and is expected to name an unchanged side from the one which drew 1-1 away with Aston Villa last time out.Defender Andy Wilkinson has recovered from a groin injury that sidelined him for the Easter double header, and could take a place on the bench.Danny Higginbotham is back from a loan spell at Championship side Nottingham Forest but is not eligible, as he is not registered in Stoke’s 25-man Premier League squad.