Newcastle 4 - 2 Southamptn

Newcastle and Southampton continue to flirt with the Premier League relegation zone ahead of Sunday's meeting at St James' Park.

Newcastle keeper Tim Krul is out of Sunday's Premier League clash with Southampton after leaving Thursday night's Europa League clash at Metalist Kharkiv with an ankle injury.

The Holland international was hurt by a Jonathan Cristaldo challenge and hobbled away from the Metalist Stadium on crutches, Steve Harper is also injured so Rob Elliot will deputise.

Midfielder Cheick Tiote could return after missing the 1-0 win in Ukraine through illness, full-back Mathieu Debuchy and striker Yoan Gouffran, who are ineligible in Europe, are available once again, while Davide Santon is back in training after an ankle problem.

Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring) will not be rushed back after 10 weeks on the sidelines.

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino will assess his squad following their two-week break from action before naming his side.

Defensive duo Jose Fonte and Vegard Forren will hope to come into contention as Saints come up against their former manager.

Emmanuel Mayuka was named on the bench for the clash with City and will hope to be involved again, while Guly do Prado has been out of action since the January 21 draw with Everton.

The Saints are currently above Saturday's opponents on goal difference, with the two teams level on 27 points and only four clear of Reading, the current inhabitants of 18th place in the table.

Southampton enjoyed their most memorable success of the season last time out when they defeated champions Manchester City 3-1 at St Mary's to give new manager Mauricio Pochettino his first victory since replacing Nigel Adkins in January.

Some of the initial anger among Saints fans in the wake of Adkins' shock dismissal has dissipated, particularly after their victory over City, and is likely to provide only a footnote to their season if Pochettino can ensure they remain in the Premier League next season.

After last season's superb fifth-place finish, Newcastle have struggled to cope with the twin demands of domestic and Europa League action and they go into the game on the back of a 4,000 mile round-trip to Ukraine, although boosted by their victory over Metalist Kharkiv.

The Magpies invested heavily in the January transfer window and were rewarded with back-to-back victories over Aston Villa and Chelsea before suffering a narrow defeat away to Tottenham in their last Premier League outing.

To find out more about live football on Sky Sports, Click here

Newcastle United came back from behind to secure an important win that lifts them clear of the relegation zone.

Newcastle United came back from behind to secure an important win that lifts them clear of the relegation zone.

St James' was stunned into silence as early as the third minute, when Morgan Schneiderlin gave the Saints an early lead, but it was all Newcastle for the rest of the half.

However the Toon faithful had to wait until just after the half hour mark to equalise, when Moussa Sissoko tapped in after Yoan Gouffran's effort had been blocked by Saints' stopper Artur Boruc, then Papiss Cisse's spectacular 25-yard dipping effort gave Newcastle a deserved lead at the break.

Just as they had in the first period, Southampton came out of the blocks the quickest after the interval, and Rickie Lambert scored his 100th goal for the club from close-range to put the Saints level.

However, a Yohan Cabaye penalty and a bizarre own goal from Jos Hooiveld meant Alan Pardew's men took all three points from this thrilling encounter.

It was France day at St James' Park, with fans donning all kinds of Gallic attire to celebrate the influx of new faces at the club, but the positive feeling around the ground was soon turned sour by the Saint's opener.

This is the caption

However, after that it was all Newcastle, with the only surprise that it took so long for the home side to find that equaliser, which came thanks to Sissoko after great work from Gouffran down the right, bamboozling the Saints backline with some neat footwork, and firing a low shot which was saved by Boruc, but Sissoko was on hand tap in.

Papiss Cisse then produced a moment of magic reminiscent of his spectacular strike at Stamford Bridge last season, smashing in a thunderous effort from 25 yards to give the Magpies the lead at the break.

However, the Saints were soon level after the interval, thanks to Southampton's dangerman Lambert. Adam Lallana was allowed time and space to pick out the hitman in the box, who had no trouble stroking the ball past Elliot.

The momentum swung once again as Southampton sensed a rare victory in this part of the north east, but a blatant handball from substitute Danny Fox as the impressive Mathieu Debuchy attempted to hook a Cabaye cross into the dangerzone, gifted Newcastle the opportunity to regain the lead from the spot, and Cabaye dually obliged, slotting his penalty past Boruc.

The goal that sealed the points for the Magpies was harsh on Southampton, but it was the manner in which it was scored that will anger boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Danny Fox attempted to lash the ball clear in his six yard area, but instead volleyed straight at Hooiveld, who was powerless to stop the ball bouncing in.