Steve Harper
Hull City goalkeeper on MOTD2 Extra

"The selection of Steven Fletcher is telling as he is powerful in the air and I think Sunderland will look to test Jak Alnwick in the Newcastle goal. The two games he's played so far haven't gone well for him but today is a chance for him to make himself a hero."

Image source, Getty Images

With Tim Krul and Rob Elliot injured, it is down to the bare goalkeeping bones for Newcastle.

With Jak Alnwick, 21, between the sticks, it is 17-year-old Freddie Woodman, son of the club's goalkeeping coach Andy, on the bench.

He is an England youth international though, who played for Newcastle's reserves at the age of 14 though.

It wasn't just Woodman looking around the breakfast table for a suitable sub.

Newcastle's goalkeeper Jak Alnwick recovers from a shoulder injury to make his Tyne-Wear derby debut. Right-back Daryl Janmaat returns from suspension to take his place in the line-up. Spaniard Ayoze Perez will play the furthest forward in a 4-3-3 formation with Papiss Cisse on the bench.

Newcastle: Alnwick, Janmaat, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Dummett, Tiote, Colback, Ameobi, Sissoko, Gouffran, Perez. Subs: Williamson, Cisse, Haidara, Cabella, Riviere, Armstrong, Woodman.

Sunderland start with Steven Fletcher, who returns from injury to take his place in attack. United States forward Jozy Altidore is named as one of the substitutes.

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Vergini, O'Shea, Brown, Reveillere, Cattermole, Johnson, Larsson, Gomez, Wickham, Fletcher. Subs: Bridcutt, Rodwell, Altidore, Alvarez, Mannone, Coates, Buckley.

"Respecting the point" is what got Sam Allardyce to where he is today.

Image source, Sunderland

Sunderland:, external Niall says 'ha'way the lads!'

Former club chairman and player Niall Quinn is at St James' Park for the big Tyne-Wear derby.

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on MOTD2 Extra

"It has to continue. Charlie Austin knows all his manager talks about is buying strikers and he needs to let him know he doesn't need to. There is a hunger about him. He wants it more than anyone else. He is reading this morning's headlines and he wants more of it."

These are the two line-ups in full for you. Plenty of bite in those two midfields with messers Tiote and Cattermole clashing shinpads.

Newcastle: Alnwick, Janmaat, Coloccini (c), S Taylor, Dummett, Sissoko, Colback, Tiote, Gouffran, Perez, Ameobi

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Vergini, Reveillere, O'Shea (c), Brown, Cattermole, Larsson, Gomez, Johnson, Wickham, Fletcher.

Goalkeeper Jak Alnwick is passed fit for Newcastle who welcome back defender Daryl Janmaat and start with Ayoze Perez up front.

Steven Fletcher starts up front in place of Jozy Altidore for Sunderland.

MOTD2

The studio lights are just warming up over on Match of the Day 2 Extra. Robbie Savage is basking alongside former Arsenal defender Martin Keown and Times football writer Rory Smith.

Get Inspired
With BBC Sport

Here are some more of your local rivalry tales. The smaller the teams, the higher the stakes I find...

Andy in Grimsby: Grimsby Town vs Scunthorpe United is a great derby, we played in the FA cup last year! #memories

Decky, Londonderry: All this talk of great rivalries- they pale in comparison to Derry City vs Finn Harps. Decades of hard fought contests!

Get in touch via #getinspired, external or 81111 on text.

Jack Colback doesn't have a future career as a diplomat lined up either, judging by his comments in today's programme.

Asked if he would celebrate should he score against his former side he said: "What do you think?"

"Of course. I'd probably be in the Gallowgate End with my shirt off!"

At which point the roof of St James Park might lift a couple of inches.

Image source, NUFC

Christmas cards are usually heart-warming scenes of goodwill and kindness.

This effort of a Jack Colback in front of a snowy Tyne Bridge probably won't be on display in many Sunderland fans' house.

It has made the front cover of today's programme though.

It does look like it was made by one of those sketch-your-photo booths you see in some arcades though.

"I hope they can understand the chance I've had here to move to my boyhood club," said Colback of Sunderland.

"For him to leave the club that has supported him throughout his formative years in such a manner, with no chance for Sunderland to recover any of the significant investment that it has made in him as a player, has left a bitter taste," said Sunderland of Colback.

We'll take that as a no then.

And Colback's fine form can't have improved the Black Cats' mood. An England call-up can't be far off.

Image source, Getty Images

Jamie Carragher wore long sleeves throughout his Liverpool career to hide an Everton tattoo. That was the story.

Turned out it was entirely untrue,, external but the fear that one of your club's prodigies will suddenly decamp to your rivals is Sunderland fans can relate to.

After 14 years coming up through the ranks at Sunderland, Jack Colback left last summer, after allowing his contract run down, and turned up at Newcastle.

Get Inspired
With BBC Sport

Ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle and Sunderland, we are after the story behind your own local rivalry...

Peter Collins: Aldershot vs Woking. Just happens to be on the 28th... If we win its a great Christmas present!

Get in touch via #getinspired, external or 81111 on text.

Both team coaches have just rolled up at St James' Park. Newcastle striker Ayoze Perez is in perky mood, greeting a member of staff with a breezy morning.

A less friendly welcome for the Sunderland players who disembark to jeers from the Newcastle fans who have arrived early.

Image source, AP

Newcastle and Sunderland may be playing for north-east pride. Real Madrid's next stop is to play some Martians for the title of best team in this solar system.

The Champions League winners breezed to victory against Argentina's South American champions San Lorenzo in the Club World Cup final last night with goals from Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale.

Image source, Getty Images

Neil Lennon has played and managed in one of the biggest derbies in the world in Glasgow during his time at Celtic. He discussed the Tyne-Wear derby on Football Focus on Saturday and had this to say...

"Every derby is different. The next one is the most important. I know from my time at Celtic how important they are - it's the fixture the fans look for first. This will have been building up over the last three or four weeks. For the manager, if you win, it gives you such a lift going forward."