Premier League preview: West Brom v Newcastle

Joey Barton will return from a three-match suspension to boost Newcastle United in their clash with West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Barton, 28, has impressed this season for Newcastle in his return to the Premier League, leading to some experts suggesting he could be in line for an England call-up.

His tenacity and ability with the ball have won him many admirers, and Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is delighted that one of his key men is returning.

“Barton has been in good form, and any time people are talking about an England call-up is because somebody is playing well in the top division,” Hughton said.

“We hope to keep him in the team for as long as we can because he is an important player for this club.”

Barton served the ban for punching Blackburn’s Morten Gamst Pedersen, although he has since apologised to the player and the club’s supporters.

Hughton will be hoping it is just a brief lapse for the seemingly reformed Barton, who has been convicted twice on charges of violence throughout his career.

While Barton will return, defenders Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini are banned after being red-carded in Newcastle’s 5-1 loss to Bolton a fortnight ago.

Added to that is Newcastle’s lengthy injury list, which includes the likes of captain Kevin Nolan, goalkeeper Steve Harper, midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa and Dan Gosling.

West Brom’s injury worries are not as severe, with Jonas Olsson the only first-choice member of Roberto di Matteo’s squad that is currently sidelined, although Youssouf Mulumbu will miss the match through suspension.

After a superb start to the season that included a win at Arsenal and credible away draws at Manchester United and Tottenham, West Brom failed to win in five before they broke their duck at Goodison Park with victory over Everton last weekend.

Newcastle have also struggled after a robust start, failing to win in their last four Premier League appearances.

But a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in their last fixture will give Hughton’s men hope of returning to the winners’ list, a feeling they last felt at the Emirates Stadium when they triumphed over Arsenal in early November.