Mark Hughes takes charge of his first game as Queens Park Rangers manager today, as his side travels up to the Sports Direct Arena to face Newcastle United. After that, Thierry Henry returns to the Premier League, where he’ll be dreaming of a similar comeback to that of the fabulous Paul Scholes. Heroics or not, the Dugout Discussion is here to follow the events as they unfold (or to further reflect on the majestic Paul Scholes’ return). The team news from early game is in…
Newcastle XI: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, R.Taylor, Guthrie, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Shola Ameobi, Best.
QPR XI: Kenny, Hill, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Young, Wright-Phillips, Derry, Buzsaky, Mackie, Bothroyd, Helguson.
It’s more a case of who’s missing today rather than who’s playing. The home side have a chance to leap-frog Liverpool into sixth with a win today, but they’ll have to do so without arguably their best two players. Senegalese Demba Ba and Ivorian Cheick Tiote have escaped to warmer climates for the African Cup of Nations. In come Shola Ameobi and Danny Guthrie.
As for the visitors, Joey Barton is suspended so misses the opportunity to play at his former stomping ground, and Adel Taarabt (Morocco) and Armand Traore (Senegal) are on international duty.
The Dugout Discussion chatroom can be accessed right here, and as you take your seat I’ll leave you with one brilliant fact I heard yesterday (and no, it’s about not Paul Scholes)… If Thierry Henry plays against Swansea today, it’ll be the 34th Premier League side he has faced. He’s scored against every one of the other 33.
