I’m certainly not accepting anything else but a win today, and it would be a worst nightmare if we have the third successive home defeat after being lost 2-0 to Blackpool and 2-1 to Stoke City in our last two Premier League games at St James’ Park.

From our last eight meetings against Wigan, we are the much better side with only allowed them to have only 20 shots on our goal and never have any win against us at St. James’ Park.

The France international Hatem Ben Arfa will not available for Newcastle United, but it gives another chance for Wayne Routledge to prove he is good enough to play for us in the top flight.

Andy Carroll is probably will be sitting on the bench once again and Chris Hughton is likely to give another shot for Shola Ameobi as a starter alongside Nolan who plays slightly behind him.

Fabricio Coloccini will be available again after having a groin problem in the first half of Newcastle’s last game against Manchester City, while Danny Simpson and Danny Guthrie both are fit and have been participated in Newcastle’s reserves game, but I don’t think Chris Hughton will gambling to include them in any part of today’s game.

Although the Latics side are the only Premier League team who are yet to concede away from home this season and unbeaten in their last three games, but their fans have to remember that they have failed to win any of their last five visits to St James’ Park.

We can also expecting to see a hot reception from the Toon Army for Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia, on his first return to St James’ Park after being transfered to Wigan side in 2009. N’Zogbia had a training ground punch-up with Carroll during his time with the Tyneside club.

But today, more than 50,000 genuine Toon fans will cheer them up and give massive roars when they coming out from St. James’s Park tunnel, with only one mission to complete which is to beat the Trotters and get the first three points of the season.

Keegan will be hopefully to have the Magpies skipper ready to make his debut of the year after being cleared to play, but it’s look like Michael Owen will be drop in the bench. Steven Taylor who has a slight ankle problem from the OT game, also fit again to pair with Argentine Coloccini in our central defense, while Mark Viduka is still need at least two weeks away from achilles injury to make his first-team return.

Last season match against them at St. James’ saw Keegan’s first game in charge resulting only goalles draw, but the situation will completely different this season. The Lads are in the good mood to continue performing well.

And for our new boys, Coloccini, Gutierrez and Danny this is their first appearance for Toon in our homeland in a real competitive match, especially for Coloccini. Having saw the impressive 12,000 Toon Army coming to see them in training, they will feel the great-great atmosphere of a full house St. James’s Park this afternoon.

Our Premierships records against the Trotters are quite impressive, with 6 wins, 2 draws and only one defeat in 2006-2007 season. The most notable win over them is in the 1997-1998 match when Ketsbaia scores the winning goal and make a massive celebration that every real Toon fans will always remember, great player!

Newcastle United vs Bolton Wanderers – Premiership Years
2007/08: 0-0
2006/07: 1-2 (Ameobi)
2005/06: 3-1 (Solano, Shearer, Ameobi)
2004/05: 2-1 (Bowyer, Dyer)
2003/04: 0-0
2002/03: 1-0 (Jenas)
2001/02: 3-2 (Shearer 2, Bellamy)
1997/98: 2-1 (Barnes, Ketsbaia)
1995/96: 2-1 (Kitson, Beardsley)

Without Mark Viduka (Achilles), Joey Barton (bail conditions), James Milner (foot) and Emre, we will have short options in midfield and one target man up front. I prefer we start with Carrol and Martins rather than let Smith making trouble from the start.

This last fixture of the season could be the last chance for N’Zogbia to proven he’s still worth to be include in Keegan next season rebuilding plans. If we want this such ‘talent’ to stay, I think we better let him start the game, so he can feel still needed by his gaffer and useful for the team.

For the home side, Mikael Arteta (stomach), Tim Cahill (foot) and James Vaughan (knee) are all still missing. But to be honest, they have wonderful home record against us in the last three seasons under the previous managers. We have losts there three times in 2004/05 lost 2-0, 2005/06 lost 1-0 and in 2006/07 lost 3-0.

Our last win there was back in 2001/02 season with goals from Bellamy, Solano and Clarence Acuna. Keegan’s record there while managing United were also not too impressive. Our first 2-0 win there in premierships years was in season 1993/94 thanks to goals from Andy Cole and Peter Beardsley.

Referee for this match is Peter Walton who also incharge in our two away defeats at Derby County and Liverpool, could this will be our third under his command? I hope not!

Below is our complete Premierships record at Goodison Park:
2006/07: 0-3
2005/06: 0-1
2004/05: 0-2
2003/04: 2-2 Shearer 2 (2 pens)
2002/03: 1-2 Robert
2001/02: 3-1 Bellamy, Solano, Acuna
2000/01: 1-1 Unsworth og
1999/00: 2-0 Hughes, Dyer
1998/99: 0-1
1997/98: 0-0
1997/98: 1-0 Rush (FA Cup)
1996/97: 0-2
1995/96: 3-1 Ferdinand, Lee, Kitson
1994/95: 0-1 (FA Cup)
1994/95: 0-2
1993/94: 2-0 Cole, Beardsley

Joey Barton who was introduced as a second-half substitute at Arsenal on Tuesday will again be available while the returning home Africa Cup of Nations duo Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye will possibly still be missing.

In his pre-match press conference, King Kev hinted that the former Man City midfielder could start his first match in Toon Black-and-Whites since Newcastle’s 2-2 home draw with Derby County last year.

“There is a chance Joey might start against Middlesbrough,” said Keegan, “He did very well when he came on against Arsenal, with regard to his situation, it may be self-inflicted, but we are where we are with Joey.”

Keegan explained, the changes in his bail conditions allowing him to play a role at Newcastle and we have a chance to see more of him in the next Toon fixtures.

“Joey knows what he can and cannot do now. And it is a good chance for him to get back on the field.” Keegan added more, “It gives him the chance to get mentally prepared again for games. He is fit and raring to go.”

Keegan also explained his reasons for allowing David Rozehnal to join the Italian side Lazio on loan until the end of the season. David’s temporary switch to the Serie A outfit is to get the first-team opportunities in his preferred position of centre-back.

Keegan said that the imminent return of Senegal pair Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye had made the Czech defender’s move possible.

“He wanted to play in his position of centre-half and that is probably a position we are well off in.” Keegan said, “Plus we have Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye coming back after they were knocked out of the Africa Nations and they are two players who can play in that position.”

Meanwhile, the visitor side will have to wait for their new Brazilian striker Alfonso Alves international clearance to complete on Thursday to get the chance for a debut at St.James’ Park.

Mike Dean, who also in charge of Newcastle 2-2 draw at Riverside in August 2007 will be the official again on Sunday’s 1.30pm kick off at St. James’ Park.

Newcastle United and Boro Premiership Meetings:

2006/07: 0-0
2005/06: 2-2 Solano, Clark
2004/05: 0-0
2003/04: 2-1 Bellamy, Shearer
2002/03: 2-0 Ameobi, Steve Caldwell
2001/02: 3-0 Speed, Shearer, Bernard
2000/01: 1-2 Cort
1999/00: 2-1 Shearer (2)
1998/99: 1-1 Shearer
1996/97: 3-1 Beardsley (2), Lee
1995/96: 1-0 Ferdinand