Huddersfield have dropped right back into their half and are inviting Newcastle to attack. Dangerous as they struggle to deal with a Matt Ritchie cross before Jonjo Shelvey smacks a long-range effort just wide.

DeAndre Yedlin does well to keep the ball alive down the right flank but his quick cross is just above Dwight Gayle's head.

Newcastle have settled into a spell of possession now as they look to work an opening.

You just feel both sides are that bit too eager to get an early goal and are fluffing opportunities to make something happen in the final third.

Jamaal Lascelles now goes in the book as he brings down man mountain Laurent Depoitre - quit the feat. The booking comes as a result of him kicking the ball away to prevent the Terriers from taking a quick free kick.

Frenetic start to this one, both sides up for the fight.

Aaron Mooy goes in the book after a careless challenge and Newcastle have a free kick just outside the Huddersfield box. Jonjo Shelvey fancies it, but the ball hits the wall.

Image source, reuters

Alex Pritchard has the game's first shot on goal, skewing an effort from 20 yards well wide. Positive start by the visitors though, exactly how they need to be.

Garth Crooks
BBC Sport football expert on Final Score

You get a sense that Huddersfield are running out of road, running out of gas. Can they keep going? You fear not. But today will tell us a lot about them. A win at St James' could give them the boost they need to stay up.

Early chance for Huddersfield as DeAndre Yedlin bumps Rajiv van la Parra off the ball and the visitors have a free-kick.

Alex Pritchard swings the ball in but the hosts clear.

Image source, Reuters

We're under way!

The teams are out on the pitch, Rafael Benitez and David Wagner have a friendly handshake before making their way to their respective dugouts.

Almost time for kick off.

There's a good atmosphere at St James' Park and a definite feeling of optimism among the home fans.

Huddersfield did win at Newcastle in the Championship last season, so will fancy their chances of spoiling the party. They certainly need to as defeat could drop them perilously close to the relegation zone.

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Guy Mowbray
Match of the Day commentator

For all David Wagner's confident words, external, his Huddersfield players need to show they haven't 'hit the wall' as they approach "the last yards of the marathon".

Their last two games have been big opportunities missed, and defeat in this next match of huge significance really would test the togetherness Wagner has built his squad upon.

Newcastle meanwhile look to have got it together to pace their run to the finish nicely. Rafa Benitez may not have had the funds he wanted in January, but the loan signings of Martin Dubravka and Kenedy have worked out superbly so far.

They need another home win to keep up the momentum. Huddersfield need points (and goals) to stop the rot.

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert on Football Focus

It would be a massive thing on Rafa Benitez's CV if and when Newcastle stays up. He has won the Champions League, La Liga, but to fight the lack of money, the owner openly trying to sell the club and all the questions about that every week. I think the has done a really good job.

Newcastle are unchanged from the side that beat Southampton last time out but Islam Slimani is on the bench for the hosts. That means he could make his first appearance for the club since joining them back in January.

Nexcastle XI: Dubravka, Dummett, Lascelles, Yedlin, Shelvey, Diame, Ritchie, Kenedy, Perez, Lejeune, Gayle.

Image source, .

For Huddersfield, Elias Kachunga makes his first start since 16 December after recovering from injury. Defender Terence Kongolo also returns, while Laurent Depoitre starts in attack. Tommy Smith replaces Florent Hadergjonaj at right back.

Huddersfield XI: Lossl, Smith, Schindler, Jorgensen, Kongolo, Hogg, Kachunga, Mooy, Van La Parra, Pritchard, Depoitre.

Image source, .

Image source, .

Hello! Welcome along to live text coverage of Newcastle versus Huddersfield. It's the battle of the two promoted sides as they look extend their stay in the Premier League by another season.

Newcastle are a point ahead of Huddersfield in the table and a win for either side today will go a long way to securing safety.

The hosts are boosted by the appearance of Islam Slimani on the bench, let's take a look at the full team news.

Image source, Rex Features

Newcastle fans, do not adjust your screens. This IS Islam Slimani and he IS involved in the matchday squad today, just 59 days after joining the club from Leicester.

Even he looks a bit stunned.