Man City Preview

MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS:

Want-away midfielder Joey Barton will be included in Manchester City's squad to face Newcastle. The former England Under-21 international had a transfer request rejected by Stuart Pearce yesterday and the Blues boss fully intends to play Barton against the Magpies despite a likely fan backlash.

Georgios Samaras, City's new £6million striker, is set for a spot on the bench, although young defender Matthew Mills will probably miss out despite completing his move north from Southampton today.

Nedum Onuoha is being sent for a scan on a minor knock, while Ben Thatcher (chest) is also missing.

Manchester City squad: James, Weaver, Sun, Dunne, Distin, Mills, Richards, Jordan, Sinclair, Ireland, Barton, Musampa, Croft, Riera, Sibierski, Cole, Vassell, Wright-Phillips, Samaras.



NEWCASTLE UTD TEAM NEWS:

Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer will miss Wednesday's trip. The England international is recovering from a hamstring injury but is set to return for Saturday's game with Portsmouth.

Manager Graeme Souness has no fresh fitness concerns, but will again be without Michael Owen (foot), Stephen Carr (hernia), Steven Taylor (shoulder), Craig Moore (hamstring) and the ill Lee Bowyer, while Amadyi Faye is away with Senegal.

Newcastle Utd squad: Given; Harper, Ramage, Babayaro, Elliott, Bramble, Boumsong, Parker, Silano, Ameobi, Emre, Clark, N'Zogbia, Brittain, Shearer, Luque, Chopra.



MAN CITY v NEWCASTLE PREVIEW

GROUND
This stadium is certainly less intimidating for away fans than Maine Road and from the outside it looks spectacular, although it is kind of bland when you get inside.
Away fans are located in one side of the Key 103 (South) Stand at one end of the ground, in both the upper and lower tiers, where 3,000 fans can be accomodated - 4,500 for cup ties. The view is good enough, but the legroom is tight.
Away fans are not issued with a paper ticket, but a plastic card which is larger than a credit card. To enter the stadium you have to hold the card to a sensor which allows entry. It can be confusing if you go for the first time.

PUBS
There are not many pubs around the stadium, however The Stanley (aka Sports Bar) does let away fans in but only in small numbers. It is 10 mins walk on Pottery Lane. Otherwise drink in the city centre.

GETTING THERE
Leave the M62 at junction 18 and then join the M60 Ashton Under Lyne. Leave the M60 at junction 23 and take the A635 towards Manchester. Branch off onto the A662 (Ashton New Road) towards Droylsden/Manchester. Stay on the A662 for around three miles and you will reach the stadium on your right.

TRAIN
The closest train station is Ashburys which is a short 5 minutes ride away from Manchester Piccadilly station. It is a 10 min walk to the stadium. Piccadilly station is 25 mins away.

PREMIERSHIP YEARS: TOON v CITY

2005/2006 Sat 24 Sep Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Man City Premiership

2004/2005 Wed 02 Feb Man City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
Sun 24 Oct Newcastle Utd. 4 - 3 Man City Premiership

2003/2004 Sat 01 May Man City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
Sat 22 Nov Newcastle Utd. 3 - 0 Man City Premiership

2002/2003 Sat 18 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Man City Premiership
Sat 24 Aug Man City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership

2001/2002 Sun 17 Feb Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Man City F.A. Cup

2000/2001 Sat 24 Feb Newcastle Utd. 0 - 1 Man City Premiership
Sat 30 Sep Man City 0 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership

1995/1996 Sat 24 Feb Man City 3 - 3 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
Sat 16 Sep Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Man City Premiership

1994/1995 Sat 29 Apr Man City 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
Sun 19 Feb Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Man City F.A. Cup
Mon 02 Jan Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Man City Premiership
Wed 21 Dec Newcastle Utd. 0 - 2 Man City League Cup
Wed 30 Nov Man City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. League Cup

1993/1994 Sat 09 Apr Man City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
Sat 01 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Man City Premiership