Newcastle after bragging rights at Stadium of Light

Newcastle United need to bounce back from their FA Cup humbling and what better way to do it than a Tyne-Wear derby against their fierce rivals.

Alan Pardew saw his side go down 3-1 to League Two side Stevenage last weekend to end their FA Cup dreams for another season. Newcastle are now going to face a Sunderland side with revenge on their mind after they were humiliated 5-1 at St James Park some 77 days ago.

Sunderland are strong at the Stadium of Light but also got knocked out of the FA Cup by lower league opposition, for them it was Notts County who caused them a shock. Still, the Black Cats have only lost one league game in front of their home fans all season and will be determined to make amends for the previous derby defeat, with a home win priced at 11/10 with bookmakers.

Pardew has been dealt a real blow as it has been confirmed Andy Carroll is ruled out of the derby clash at the Stadium of Light. The manager had given the England striker time to be assessed at training, but Carroll has failed to recover in time and he will be a big loss for Newcastle.

Kevin Nolan, hat-trick hero in the previous meeting between the two teams and 8/1 to get the first goal at the Stadium of Light, will be present. However, Cheik Tiote will not join him in midfield as the player starts a three-match ban for being sent off in the FA Cup defeat.

Shola Ameobi, who got the other two goals at St James Park, is likely to lead the line for the Magpies in Alan Pardew's first Tyne-Wear derby as manager. The history books are in the visiting side's favour, as Newcastle have won 50 of the 132 league meeting between the rivals compared to Sunderland's 41, and the Magpies are 11/4 to improve that record with another victory while the draw is 12/5.

Even without their star striker Carroll, Newcastle thrashed West Ham 5-0 in their last Premier League game however such a high-scoring game seems unlikely at the Stadium of Light come Sunday.

After the shock of losing to Stevenage last weekend, club captain Nolan has claimed Sunday's game will be "business as usual" and all the players understand the importance of beating Sunderland to Newcastle fans.

Speaking about the FA Cup game, he told the Chronicle: "We have forgotten about it.

“It hurt not being in the hat, but there is no better team than Sunderland to get our heads back on the game.

“Hopefully it will be a great Tyne-Wear derby, with us being on top again.”