Newcastle go into the game unbeaten in their last 7 games, they have 4 wins and 2 draws from their last 6 games under their belt, whilst Chelsea travel to St James' Park on the back of a result against Manchester United in the league and a win against Liverpool in the Champions League which also gives them 4 wins and 2 draws from their last 6 games.

Newcastle are still without keeper Shay Given, who is replaced by the more than capable Steve Harper, Emre is still sidelined due to injury, as are Stephen Carr, and Peter Ramage.

Mark Viduka who is reported to be struggling with an Achilles injury is likely to play after having an injection to address the problem. Also back in the squad are James Milner (foot), Abdoulaye Faye (groin), David Edgar (head) and Claudio Cacapa who are all returning from injury.

Avram Grant takes a fully fit squad to Newcastle, aside of keeper Cudicini (hamstring), despite Michael Ballack picking up a leg injury against Liverpool in midweek, he looks set to play some part in the match. Grant's Chelsea side will know by the time they Kick Off on Monday whether they have to secure all 6 points from their final matches.

Both managers have given interviews ahead of the penultimate match of the season.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant - who is rumoured to be exiting the club in the summer, said:

"I always like to think the best week didn't come yet. We developed our game each month, sometimes we have bad games but I think we have more good games.

For me reaching the Champions League final was great, the games were very exciting and we want to continue this process."

Kevin Keegan said of Grant and his team:

"Chelsea have had a great season, their manager has had a fantastic season and despite that, he seems to be not doing a very good job there.

All I can say is it makes the rest of us look very vulnerable if Avram Grant is in trouble.

As far as results go and what he has achieved you cannot really knock him."

If Newcastle win, a final 12^th spot is higher than they finished last season. They go into the game with a 5 match, unbeaten, home league run against Chelsea, 3 wins and 2 draws, last season's corresponding fixture ended 0-0.

Newcastle: Harper, Forster, Beye, Enrique, Taylor, Faye, Edgar, Cacapa, Butt, N'Zogbia, Duff, Barton, Geremi, Milner, Owen, Smith, Martins, Viduka, Carroll.

Chelsea: Cech, Hilario, Belletti, Ferreira, Carvalho, Alex, Ben-Haim, Terry, A Cole, Bridge, J Cole, Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Wright-Phillips, Malouda, Kalou, Anelka, Drogba, Shevchenko, Obi, Makelele.

Ref: Steve Bennett

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