Newcastle host Man United at St James' Park with both sides missing key players
Referee Anthony Taylor tries to keep Lisandro Martinez and Manuel Ugarte of Manchester United away from Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United
Newcastle United's Nick Woletmade and Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez (left) could miss tonight's game
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Newcastle and Manchester United head coaches Eddie Howe and Michael Carrick are hoping illness does not spread through their squads after both reported issues this week.
The two sides go head to head at St James' Parrk tonight, with Newcastle desperate to get back to winning ways on home soil after some disappointing recent results in front of their own fans.
Both will be without important players this evening, while several players are recovering from illness, including Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade.
He has not been ruled out yet, but it would be a surprise if he started given his lack of training time after the 3-2 defeat to Everton. Jacob Ramsey, who was forced off at half-time, is fit to play.
Of the longer-term absentees, Tino Livramento is the closest to a return, although tonight's game could come too soon for the England right-back.
Young midfielder Lewis Miley will miss the game with a thigh injury, but is hoping to be back later this month when Newcastle head to Barcelona in the Champions League.
Howe will have to wait until April to have captain Bruno Guimaraes back in the side, with the Brazilian recovering from a hamstring strain.
Likewise, Fabian Schar won't be back until next month after having surgery on his ankle. Versatile defender Emil Krafth won't feature again this season, and could even have played his last game for the club.
Manchester United boss Carrick is hopeful of having defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw available after both were taken off with illness in their 2-1 win over Crystal Palace last weekend.
Carrick confirmed neither were injured, but with limited recovery time, both will be given a chance to prove their fitness for tonight's game.
Man United need both back, with fellow defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez already ruled of the match. Dutch defender De Ligt has not played since November with a back problem, while Martinez has missed the last few games with a calf injury, and is still a few weeks away from a return.
Patrick Dorgu, who scored the only goal when the two sides met at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, is missing with a thigh injury, with the Danish wideman out for several weeks.
He joins former Chelsea and England midfielder Mason Mount on the sidelines. The 27-year-old has not played since January due to an injury but is said to be close to a return to training.
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