Wolves v Newcastle preview

Pardew: Has not seen his side beaten in the first six games of the Premier League season

Newcastle face Wolves at Molineux hoping to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

The Magpies go into the game sitting in fourth place in the table after three wins and three draws in their opening six games.

Much of their current form can be owed to strikers Leon Best and Demba Ba.

Ba had not scored until last weekend, when he netted a hat-trick in the 3-1 win over Blackburn, while Best has also claimed three goals this term.

But it is not just in attack where the Magpies have had success this season; they are the only side in the league not to have conceded two or more goals in a game.

In stark contrast, Wolves have struggled since their encouraging start to the season and have lost their last three games.

Mick McCarthy's side have conceded seven goals in those three games while scoring just once - a consolation strike away to Liverpool in last week's 2-1 defeat at Anfield.

Team news

Defender Richard Stearman had to be withdrawn from the game on Merseyside due to a toe injury which could also keep him out of Saturday's clash.

McCarthy admitted the full-back was a major doubt for the clash and if he fails to make the starting line-up, 19-year-old defender Matt Doherty will deputise.

Striker Steven Fletcher is fighting for a place in the starting XI after scoring against Liverpool as a second-half substitute last week after recovering from a groin injury.

But the midlands club are still without a host of players, including Ronald Zubar, Kevin Foley, Jody Craddock and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

Newcastle are set to hand a debut to deadline day signing Davide Santon, who is in the squad after recovering from a knee injury.

The Italian defender made the move from Inter Milan in August and completed 90 minutes in a reserve game against Swansea in midweek.

Striker Shola Ameobi is a doubt for the clash as he looks to recover from a shoulder injury while defender Mike Williamson is a month away from making a return to action.

Possible starting XIs

Wolves: Hennessey, Doherty, Johnson, Berra, Elokobi, Hunt, Henry, O'Hara, Jarvis, Fletcher, Doyle

Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini, Santon, Obertan, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Ba, Best