By Matthew Jones
September 22 2002

Newcastle are to revert to a 4-4-2 formation for the derby with Sunderland, meaning recalls for wingers Nol Solano and Laurent Robert. Andy Griffin and Hugo Viana are likely to return to the subs' bench as manager Sir Bobby Robson ditches the man-marking system which saw United beaten by Kiev. Newcastle are to revert to a 4-4-2 formation for the crucial derby with Sunderland, meaning recalls for wingers Nol Solano and Laurent Robert.

Andy Griffin and Hugo Viana are likely to return to the subs' bench as manager Sir Bobby Robson ditches the man-marking system which saw United beaten 2-0 by Dynamo Kiev in their opening Champions League group game. Aaron Hughes will go back to his regular position at right-back, where Griffin filled in for him in the Ukraine.

Serious doubts have been raised over Olivier Bernard's position at right-back after a series of unconvincing performances. But Robson may well keep faith with the Frenchman rather than ask Griffin or Robbie Elliott to fill his shoes.

Alan Shearer will start up front for United despite receiving stitches in a head wound picked up in the early stages of his side's defeat in Kiev.

Newcastle (probable): Given; Hughes, Dabizas, O'Brien, Bernard; Speed, Dyer, Solano, Robert; Shearer, Bellamy.