Fulham v Newcastle [Barclay's Premier League]
Premier League: Fulham host Newcastle United at Craven Cottage
Newcastle United will aim continue their mini-revival at Craven Cottage against a Fulham side who themselves are experiencing a slump.
Alan Pardew's visitors started the season with expectations of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League after the last campaign's impressive fifth-placed Premier League finish.
But Newcastle will kick-off in London in 14th position after taking just a disappointing 17 points from 15 games, leaving them one spot behind Fulham on goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions have hampered the North East club but they did at least end a run of four successive Premier League defeats by beating 10-man Wigan Athletic last Monday.
Fulham, though, will not be in an accommodating mood and Martin Jol will be demanding his players end a seven-game winless run which has seen them sink down the table.
Jol's former club, Tottenham Hotspur, comfortably won 3-0 at Craven Cottage in Fulham's last match and, in their previous home game, Sunderland left London with maximum points.
Fulham have in fact won just one of the last five Premier League home games but they can fall back on a good record against Newcastle, having lost just once in their last six meetings.
Fulham can welcome back captain Brede Hangeland following the Norway international's return from a three-match suspension.
Hangeland has been banned after being sent off against Sunderland and he is likely to return in defence, while Alex Kacaniklic is back after a hamstring injury.
Bryan Ruiz faces a further month on the sidelines with a hamstring complaint of his own, while right-back Sascha Riether has to overcome a minor knee sprain if he is to feature.
Newcastle boss Pardew could have several of his big guns back from injury for the trip to Fulham.
Full-back David Santon (groin), midfielders Cheick Tiote, Hatem Ben Arfa (both hamstring) and Gabriel Obertan (toe), striker Demba Ba (also hamstring) and Jonas Gutierrez (knee) have all been absent in recent weeks.
That would leave Steven Taylor (hamstring) and Yohan Cabaye (groin surgery) on the long-term casualty list but would represent a significant improvement.
