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Without a win in four Premiership matches Wanderers are in danger of being pulled into the relegation dogfight unless results improve while their North East opponents are still in the chase for a Champions League place so the clash between the two sides should be an interesting encounter.
Last season over the Christmas period the two clubs served up a festive feast with a 4-3 thriller which was won by Bolton which was in contrast to the corresponding fixture two seasons ago ended up 4-0 to the Toon Army.
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce will be hoping that veteran Frenchman Youri Djorkaeff will be able to play after the World Cup winner missed the last two matches with a hamstring problem. Former Newcastle defender Steve Howey will be pushing for a place on the Wanderers substitutes bench against the club whom he spent over a decade with in the 1990's. Defensive duo Ricardo Gardner and Florent Laville (both knee) are still some way off a first team return.
Magpies manager Sir Bobby Robson will monitor the fitness of England defender Jonathan Woodgate before he finalises his team selection for the trip to Lancashire after the former Leeds United man has been struggling with a stomach injury. Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer will both be hoping for starting roles following recent hamstring injuries whilst Lee Bowyer is available again after suspension saw him ruled out of Thursday's Champions League win over Real Mallorca. Former Wanderer Robbie Elliott is named in the travelling party but has a slim chance of a starting role.
Bolton defended stoutly to take a rare point at St James Park earlier in the season but usually games between the two sides are high on the list of entertainment so hopefully those both at the game and viewing from their TV screens will see what is sure to be a mouthwatering clash.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
PETER BEARDSLEY
FRANZ CARR
TONY CUNNINGHAM
WYN DAVIES
ROBBIE ELLIOTT
ALAN GOWLING
STEVE HOWEY
MIKE JEFFREY
GLENN KEELEY
NEIL MCDONALD
RON MCGARRY
SCOTT SELLARS
ALAN THOMPSON
ANDY WALKER
TOMMY WRIGHT