Football: Weekend guide to the Premiership: Newcastle v Leicester

AFTER A dour goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers last week, Newcastle United manager Ruud Gullit has to wait to discover if he can field his new-look pounds 23m strike force for the first time, against Leicester City this afternoon. England captain Alan Shearer will undergo a late fitness test on the hamstring injury that has kept him out of the last four games, while a last-minute decision will be taken on his partner Duncan Ferguson, who has missed training all week with flu. Club captain Rob Lee is back from suspension and goalkeeper Shay Given appears to have recovered from a shoulder problem.

Tony Cottee could be in line for a surprise return for Leicester, who have won only once in their last 17 visits to St James' Park, but who moved into the top half of the table with their victory over Nottingham Forest last Saturday. The veteran striker has been out for four weeks with a thigh strain but is in contention for a place today. Steve Walsh is doubtful with the flu, but Frank Sinclair returns from suspension. Matt Elliott could return to central defence.

NEWCASTLE UNITED (from): Harper, Given, Charvet, Barton, Howey, Hughes, Dabizas, Lee, Speed, Glass, Solano, Hamann, Shearer, Ferguson, Andersson, Ketsbaia, Pearce, Albert, Dalglish.

LEICESTER CITY (from): Keller, Arphexad, Guppy, Walsh, Taggart, Sinclair, Elliott, Ullathorne, Lennon, Parker, Izzet, Zagorakis, Kaamark, Impey, Savage, Heskey, Cottee, Wilson, Fenton.

Suspensions: None.

Referee: J Winter.