Newcastle United face second-placed Everton in their 2pm encounter at St. James' Park knowing a win and three points could move them into the aspiring mid-table pack ten points ahead of the danger zone & just three behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Everton were the early top flight pace-setters winning all 6 of their League & Cup games in September as Carlo Ancelotti was named Manager of the Month and Dominic Calver-Lewin Player of the Month after scoring a glut of goals yet it is the man in the middle, summer signing and new playmaker James Rodriquez that makes them tick.

Newcastle will be delighted the Colombian is missing from the match tomorrow so transformational has been his influence turning Everton into perennial also-rans into genuine contenders for the Champions League if not the title although having had their momentum stopped by Liverpool, Southampton beat them last week.

Rodriguez's testicle injury caused a media-storm this week when porn actress Kendra Lust wished him well on social media after finding out the nature of his injury:

James' absence will likely mean a midfield trio of Allan, Doucore and Gomes but also missing from The Toffees roster are the suspended Richarlison and Lucas Digne after their recent dismissals against Liverpool and Southampton respectively and with Seamus Coleman on the injured list, Ben Godfrey and Niels Nkounkou are expected to fill in as full-backs which might be inexperienced avenues Newcastle can exploit.

Certainly Magpies Maverick-in-Chief Allan Saint-Maximin will be licking his lips in anticipation along with attackers Ryan Fraser and Miguel Almiron who can beat men for fun and stretch the Everton defence and help a Newcastle central midfield that should contain the fit again Isaac Hayden and at least one if not both of the Longstaff brothers, Sean and Matty, who are raring to go again after last week's injuries saw Jeff Hendrick the sole fit midfielder in the engine room at Molineux.

Ciaran Clark is also back for the black and whites and could start ahead of Jamaal Lascelles who is an injury doubt and Newcastle have an excellent win % when the Republic of Ireland international starts games and he is a set-piece threat.

In his pre-match presser, Steve Bruce paid tribute to his opposite number Carol Ancelotti and revealed he has recently read the Italian's book on his life in management saying:

"The way he manages, the success he's had, I'm a huge admirer,” he told Chronicle Live. “He's got a quiet calmness about him which just shows you there's different ways to manage. I read his book, which is a good read as well."

although revealing it was a paperback that he won't be getting signed as it "fell apart" might be the canny Geordie indulging in some Sir Alex Ferguson-esque mind games ahead of the clash that last time at Goodison produced an astonishing Newcastle comeback from 0-2 down on 90 minutes to 2-2 on the close of play at 96 -

As one Newcastle fan quipped, it could be 'All Saint and No James' at St. James' Park

and with Everton's injuries and suspensions piling up, it could be an excellent chance to have a go at The Toffees and claim all three points for the third time in the Premier League this season.