Stoke City vs Newcastle United team news: Alan Pardew names unchanged side from draw with Hull City

Mark Hughes makes a few alterations

Banter: Alan Pardew has played down Mike Ashley comments (AP)

Stoke City host Newcastle United tonight with both teams eager to get away from the wrong end of the Premier League table.

MORE: Stoke vs Newcastle latest score and updates

Jonathan Walters has failed a late fitness test for the home side and Stephen Ireland has been dropped to the bench following his comeback from injury in the Capital One Cup last week.

Meanwhile Marc Muniesa has come in for Eric Pieters following his double against Sunderland in that Capital One Cup win.

Newcastle are unchanged from the side that came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Hull City in their last Premier League outing.

Emmanuel Riviere, rather than Papiss Cisse who is on the bench, will lead the line for the Magpies who are currently joint bottom of the table on points.

Riviere scored twice in the 3-2 win over Crystal Palace in the Capital One Cup last week.

Heading into the match there is speculation Newcastle manager Alan Pardew will be sacked if on the end of a poor result tonight.

Stoke: Begovic, Bardsley, Shawcross, Wilson, Muniesa, Whelan, Nzonzi, Diouf, Adam, Moses, Crouch.

Subs: Pieters, Huth, Ireland, Arnautovic, Assaidi, Bojan, Sorensen.

Newcastle: Krul, Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett, Tiote, Colback, Sissoko, Cabella, Gouffran, Riviere.

Subs: Anita, Cisse, Elliot, Obertan, Steven Taylor, Ameobi, Armstrong.

Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)