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Stoke manager Mark Hughes looks angry. But then again when doesn't he? He's as unhappy as a fork in a world of soup.

Another Stoke free-kick, again in between the right edge of the penalty area and the touchline. But the delivery from Xherdan Shaqiri is not good enough and Newcastle clear again.

Geoff Cameron takes advantage of his new-found freedom to run upfield. But the American's cross fails to bother the Newcastle defence who clear.

The Magpies are still sitting deep, offering little going forwards at the moment. But they don't look in too much* danger at the back.

* not trying to jinx your team Newcastle fans

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Enforced early change for Stoke. Not what Mark Hughes would have wanted after naming an unchanged team.

Right-back Phil Bardsley has tweaked something, on comes Spanish centre-back Marc Muniesa. Hope he's slapped on plenty of muscle rub...

Muniesa goes to centre-half, with Geoff Cameron shuffling over to right-back.

Movement on the Stoke bench. Spanish defender Marc Muniesa is stripped off and ready to go. And in cold weather like this you don't do that without good reason....

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I don't think Newcastle manager Steve McClaren will be too disappointed with what he's seen so far. All 11 of his players are working hard to get back behind the ball when Stoke have possession, leaving the home side with little room to exploit.

Newcastle will go out of the relegation zone with a draw remember.

Now then...here's a chance for Newcastle. Stoke defender Geoff Cameron is all over the back of a Newcastle attacker like his opponent is a climbing frame at your local kids' playground.

Toon striker Aleksandar Mitrovic climbs highest to meet the delivery, but he won't beat Jack Butland from 15 yards. And he doesn't. 

We've told you that Stoke are well on top - and here's the evidence. The Potters aren't dominating possession as much as I would have guessed they were, but over a third of the game is being played in Newcastle's territory.

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Respite for Newcastle. A rare away attack goes down the right, but Moussa Sissoko can't deliver and is crowded out.

Send the big men up! Stoke win a free-kick in a dangerous position on the right side between penalty area and touchline. But the set-piece goes into the only spot where there isn't a red-and-white striped shirt, allowing Rob Elliot to punch clear confidently.

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Stoke still looking sharp. Newcastle keeper Rob Elliot gets his gloves dirty for the first time - twice in fact. First he has to readjust and backpedal to palm away Erik Pieters' flukey left-wing cross that was drifting goalwards, then punches clear another cross from the opposite side.

And seconds later Elliot is called into action again, saving Xherdan Shaqiri's low shot. All Stoke.

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Steve McClaren, sensibly wearing a huge padded coat, is standing on the touchline barking out orders.

Newcastle sitting back with all 11 men behind the ball as Stoke push and probe just inside the away half.

"Right lads, get tight to Marko Arnautovic and let him know you're there." That might have formed part of Steve McClaren's pre-match team-talk. It might not.

If not then Daryl Janmaat has taken upon himself to give the Austrian an early reducer. The free-kick, about 35 yards out to the left, comes to nothing.

First honours go to Newcastle! For the first shot on target that is. Aleksander Mitrovic hustles and bustles in the Stoke area, the ball eventually breaking to away skipper Jonjo Shelvey just inside the box. But his low shot lacks power and Jack Butland easily gathers.

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Good tempo to Stoke's start. Not surprising from a side looking for their third straight win. Erik Pieters' cross from the left into the Newcastle box is headed clear though.

Yoan Gouffran, starting in place of Andros Townsend, is behind the first Newcastle attack. But his floated cross from the left has too much on it and goes out for a goal-kick.

Steve McClaren is all smiles as he shakes hands with the Stoke bench. Let's see if the Newcastle gaffer is laughing after 90 minutes...

Stoke go straight on the front foot, but Jon Walters gives away a free-kick to let the visitors off the hook. 

Steve Bower
Match of the Day commentator

"Since their mauling at Stamford Bridge, they've had some sunshine training in Spain; now some sort of run of consistency has to start at the Britannia Stadium.

"They cannot afford any more days where their effort and commitment is questioned.

"Some weeks ago, this fixture might have looked a little more straightforward for Steve McClaren's team.

"There was a concern when Stoke lost three league games in a row and went out of both cup competitions, but they have responded with back-to-back wins and will be keen to continue that form and add to Newcastle's problems."

Stoke manager Mark Hughes on Newcastle having an 18-day break: "It might take them a little bit of time to get going or they may be really refreshed and raring to go, we just don't know.

"We have always seemed to reap the benefits of a break away, so we will see how they shape up.

"It will be a test for us because Newcastle are fighting for their lives, and looking at their squad you sometimes wonder how and why they are where they are."

Newcastle manager Steve McClaren, talking to BBC Sport: "In our 18 days off we have been getting ready for the last 12 games.

"Tonight we have to show fight, character, attitude, togetherness, compactness, being hard to beat. 

"At Chelsea we were 3-0 down after 15 minutes so our start tonight is important. We have to grow into the game and fight for 95 minutes. It all sounds pretty simple but it is quite hard to do."