PREMIER LEAGUE

Saturday 27 September

NEWCASTLE 1

Michael Owen (pen 51)

BLACKBURN 2

Roque Santa Cruz (41)

Christopher Samba (31)

Blackburn Rovers travel to the turbulent St James' Park for a match against Newcastle, with Jason Brown replacing Paul Robinson in goal.

Robinson picked up a calf injury against Everton in the Carling Cup midweek, joining Vince Grella (calf), Steven Reid (knee) and David Dunn (Achilles), while Benni McCarthy (groin) and Aaron Mokoena (virus) on the injury list. Keith Andrews is on the bench after being cup-tied against the Toffees.

The beleaguered Magpies are without striker Obafemi Martins, who will be out for up to six weeks after picking up a knee injury against Tottenham in the Carling Cup on Wednesday. Also out are Alan Smith, Mark Viduka and Andy Carroll, while Danny Guthrie and Joey Barton are suspended. Habib Beye (Achilles), Jonas Gutierrez (shoulder) and Jose Enrique are also unavailable to caretaker boss Joe Kinnear.

Newcastle: Given, Bassong, Taylor, Coloccini, Cacapa, Geremi, Butt, Duff, N'Zogbia, Xisco, Owen. Subs: Harper, Ameobi, Edgar, Tozer, Doninger, Donaldson, Ranger

Blackburn: Brown, Simpson, Nelsen, Samba, Warnock, Emerton, Olsson, Kerimoglu, Derbyshire, Roque Santa Cruz, Villanueva. Subs: Robinson, Pedersen, Andrews, Fowler, Treacy, Roberts, Marrow

Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset)