Newcastle United vs. West Bromwich Albion: Last Minute Injury Updates & Selection Guesses

Newcastle will play West Bromwich Albion at home in just a few short hours. We've got the latest injury news for you, and we'll do one last guess at the Starting XI as well.

Midfielder Dan Gosling will serve the second of a three-game suspension for the straight red card he received in the loss to Norwich City. Yohan Cabaye received his fifth yellow Saturday against Swansea, so he will sit this one out. Haris Vuckic came on when Cheik Tiote was injured in the 81st minute (by the way, Tiote is expected to play today), so he would be the obvious bet, but Alan Pardew answered questions all week about the lack of Hatem Ben Arfa's playing time, so it's possible he could get the nod. Mehdi Abeid stands in the wings as well. Meanwhile, James Nursey of MirrorFootball speculates that former captain and Chris Hughton player committee member Alan Smith is done at Newcastle. It certainly makes sense - he's one of the highest paid players on the team and apparently isn't even third string material at this point. On the other hand, Pardew did mention him as a possible replacement on the official website.

Center back Fabricio Coloccini returned from a thigh injury on Saturday and is expected to play again. Mike Williamson made the bench, but did not start. If he is healthy enough, he will get the start over James Perch next to Coloccini. Were Williamson to suffer a setback, Tamas Kadar is next in line.

Left back Ryan Taylor was replaced by Davide Santon on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. I have searched and searched for news on whether he will be able to play today, but there is none. It's not a guarantee that Raylor will step back into the starting lineup even if he is healthy, as Santon played a very impressive game against Swansea.

Center back Steven Taylor is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles' tendon, while midfielders Sylvain Marveaux and Danny Guthrie continue to nurse long-term injuries. Guthrie was declared out with a groin strain for 4 to 6 weeks about 2 weeks ago. Marveaux had groin surgery in late November, and his expected return date is currently late March to early April.

As this game will be played at Sports Direct Arena, Steve Harper is likely to back up Tim Krul rather than Rob Elliot.

West Brom have problems in midfield. James Morrison has a hamstring injury and will definitely miss today's match. Youssouf Mulumbu (knee) and Paul Scharner (leg) have been characterized as doubts all week, but late reports indicate that they have passed fitness tests and both will be able to play. Defender Gonzalo Jara Reyes, midfielder George Thorne, and forward Marc-Antoine Fortune have all been recalled from loan.

Zoltan Gera is out with a long-term knee injury.

Final Selection Guesses

NUFC (4-4-2): Krul | Simpson, Perch, Coloccini, Santon | Obertan, Tiote, Vuckic, Jonas | Best, Ba

Subs: Harper, Williamson, Abeid, Ben Arfa, Sammy, Shola, Lovenkrands

WBA (4-4-2): Foster | Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Shorey | Brunt, Mulumbu, Scharner, Thomas | Odemwingie, Long

Subs: Fulop, Jones, Tamas, Thomas, Dorrans, Dawson, Cox