Woodgate: Ready for reunion

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Stoke City v Newcastle

Jonathan Woodgate could start against his former club Newcastle when the Magpies visit the Britannia Stadium on Monday night.

The veteran defender, who had a brief spell at St. James’ Park in 2003/04, soldiered through from start to finish in Stoke’s 2-1 Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool in midweek.

The centre-back was previously sidelined due to a calf injury, along with winger Jermaine Pennant (hamstring) who was a second-half replacement against the Reds.

However, Potters boss Tony Pulis will have to do without the services of striker Mamady Sidibe who faces another spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Newcastle counterpart Alan Pardew could include midfielder Cheik Tiote (knee) and defender Steven Taylor (broken nose) in his starting line-up.

But in-form striker Shola Ameobi has been ruled out for at least a month with a hamstring problem.

The Magpies, who suffered an enthralling 4-3 defeat to Blackburn on Wednesday in their fourth-round league cup tie, are fourth on the table and tied with third-placed Chelsea on 19 points.

The Potters, meanwhile, are five places back and slipping following their 3-1 loss to Arsenal last time out.