BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: The Hawthorns Date: Sunday, 9 November
Alan Pardew says Newcastle United will need to match West Bromwich Albion's workrate if they want to maintain their resurgence in the Barclays Premier League.
After failing to secure victory in their opening seven matches this season, Newcastle have won three league matches in a row, a run that has lifted them up to 12th in the league table.
Victories over Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have restored confidence at St James' Park, but Pardew knows Newcastle must keep their focus on Sunday to make it five successes in a row in all competitions.
"We are winning games, confidence is good and everyone is playing their part," Pardew said. "We look forward to the game on Sunday.
"West Brom are the hardest-working team in the Premier League so we will have to match that on Sunday."
Newcastle have injury problems ahead of their trip to The Hawthorns. Gabriel Obertan is set to miss four months with a thigh injury, while Cheick Tiote is still struggling with a calf problem, and doubts linger over Rolando Aarons (knock) and Papiss Cisse (knee).
History is on Newcastle's side against West Brom, given they have only lost one of the last five meetings between the sides. That setback came on their last trip to The Hawthorns in January. That defeat was Newcastle's first at West Brom since 2010, but Albion have delivered encouraging form on their own turf this term, losing just once and claiming a creditable draw against Manchester United.
Saido Berahino has helped the West Midlands club to 11th in the Barclays Premier League with five goals in his last five games. His performances earned a first call from Roy Hodgson for England's matches with Slovenia and Scotland, but Irvine has warned the striker not to let success go to his head and focus on West Brom.
"If players don't keep their feet on the ground then it can come too quickly," said Irvine. "But we will try and help him [Berahino] as far as that is concerned.
"As long as he doesn't change then this reward can continue to come. I have had a few chats with him in recent months. I said if he keeps doing things the way he has been doing them and keeps working as he does on the training ground and living his life, then good things happen.
"I have to say I didn't think such a good thing would happen so quickly."
Irvine will have to decide who replaces the suspended Craig Gardner in midfield, with Claudio Yacob and Youssouf Mulumbu both vying for the spot, though Sebsatien Pocognoli has recovered from the cramps that led him to be substituted against Leicester.
Newcastle United (from): Alnwick, Elliot, Krul, Coloccini, Dummett, Haidara, Janmaat, Streete, R Taylor, S Taylor, Aarons, Abeid, Anita, Bigirimana, Cabella, Colback, Sissoko, Vuckic, Ameobi, Armstrong, Cisse, Ferreyra, Gouffran, Perez, Riviere.
West Brom (from): Daniels, Foster, Myhill, Baird, Davidson, Dawson, Gamboa, Lescott, McAuley, ONeil, Pocognoli, Wisdom, Blanco, Brunt, Dorrans, Morrison, Mulumbu, Sessegnon, Roofe, Yacob, Anichebe, Berahino, Ideye, Nabi, Samaras.
Match Appointments
Referee: Craig Pawson Assistants: P Kirkup, M Salisbury Fourth Official: K Friend
Match Facts
West Bromwich Albion forward Saido Berahino has scored three goals from the penalty spot in 2014/15, more than any other player in the Barclays Premier League this season.
Newcastle United have scored a higher proportion of second half goals (82%) than any other team in the BPL.