Squad sheets: Newcastle United v Sunderland

Growing up in Wallsend Steve Bruce was a diehard Newcastle United supporter who would later dismay his family by twice turning down the chance to become manager at St James' Park before eventually winding up at Sunderland. Incredibly, Bruce has never been to a north-east derby in any capacity before and says he "can't wait". Chris Hughton, meanwhile, will be praying for the win which would bolster his seemingly fragile job security. Sub-plots abound with two of the most notable seeing Titus Bramble return to Newcastle in a Sunderland shirt and Joey Barton and Lee Cattermole reviving a wince inducing central midfield rivalry. Louise Taylor Venue St James' Park, Sunday 1.30pm Tickets Sold out Last season n/a Referee P Dowd This season's matches 9 Y 34, R 2, 4.00 cards per game Odds Newcastle 6-5 Sunderland 13-5 Draw 23-10 Newcastle Subs from Soderberg, Kadar, R Taylor, Simpson, Smith, Routledge, Ranger, Lovenkrands, Ameobi, Vuckic Doubtful None Injured Campbell (thigh, 7 Nov), Best (ankle, 14 Nov), S Taylor (shoulder, 13 Nov), Gosling (knee, Jan), Harper (shoulder, Jan), Ben Arfa (broken leg, Apr) Suspended None Form guide WDLLWL Disciplinary record Y19 R0 Leading scorer Carroll 5 Sunderland Subs from Gordon, Bardsley, Mensah, Da Silva, Ferdinand, Riveros, Welbeck, Gyan, Angeleri Doubtful None Injured Meyler (knee, Dec), Campbell (knee, Mar) Suspended None Form guide WDDDDD Disciplinary record Y14 R2 Leading scorer Bent 5 Match pointers • Sunderland's last victory at Newcastle was in November 2000 when current chairman Niall Quinn scored the winner in a 2-1 triumph • Shola Ameobi has scored four times in his last three Premier League appearances against Sunderland • The visitors are unbeaten in their last seven league games, their best run in the top flight since the 1999-00 season • A win for Newcastle would be their 50th league victory over Sunderland • Sunderland have seen more opponents booked (23) than any other side