Newcastle go to Reading on Monday night looking for their fifth away win in the Premiership this season having won only one of their last eight League games. The Magpies’ manager Glenn Roeder is finding his side underperforming massively this season and with the calls for his sacking and the fact that the club probably won’t be in Europe next season, will the players be able to step up to the plate against the Royals live on Sky Sports 1 in the last game of the weekend?

Newcastle have only ever played Reading once in the Premiership and that was earlier in the season at St James Park when United walked away with a 3-2 victory thanks to a Sibierski, Martins and Emre goal; the latter coming in the last five minutes. There may not be alot left to play for this season but Roeder knows that he has to start winning games or his job will soon be put at risk.

Many of the players, such as Bramble, Moore, the Gooch and Sibierski, are still playing for new contracts with their current deals running out at the end of the season and they will be looking to prove a point. Also with the return of Owen and Ameobi to the first team, all eyes will be on the Magpies as they look to bounce back to winning ways.

Reading (from): Hahnemann, Federici, de la Cruz, Halford, Ingimarsson, Duberry, Bikey, Shorey, Oster, Seol, Harper, Gunnarsson, Sidwell, Hunt, Kitson, Doyle, Long.

Newcastle: Friday’s Evening Chronicle led with the story that both Shola Ameobi and Michael Owen could be set to return from their long standing hip and knee injuries respectively. The return of these two stars would be a welcome boost to the Newcastle frontline which has relied heavily upon Obafemi Martins and his 17 goals this season. Also for Newcastle, Antoine Sibierski is expected to return while Scott Parker remains heavily doubtful and Damien Duff and Shay Given will definitely sit out of action. This means another start for Steve Harper in Goal with the possibility of Milner on the left wing once again.

Reading: There are no new injury concerns for the Royals with Leroy Lita missing out for the final time as he completes his three-match ban and Graeme Murty (calf) and Glen Little (achilles) sitting out once again, alongside long-term absentees Bobby Convey and Ibrahima Sonko (both ACL) who will not play again this season due to the severity of their injuries and are not expected to return until June and August respectively.

For Newcastle, I feel James Milner will be the key to success. The England Under 21 International has really shone this season and he has been key to many of Newcastle’s victories. His presence on either wing is enough to put full backs off and as he showed Portegese star Ferreira against Chelsea last weekend, he is not only quick but has the skills of one of the best wingers in the Premiership currently.

It’s unbelievable to think that Roeder came so close to selling Milner in the summer and his attitude towards the club and football has been nothing but thoroughly Professional since. He has been responsible for 8 of Newcastle’s Premiership goals this campaign with 3 of his own and another 5 assists and that’s not even counting his contribution in the cups and Europe. He is the club’s highest crosser with over 240 crosses to his name this season and this is bound to be added to on Monday night.

Since Reading will be without their top goalscorer Leroy Lita as he continues to serve his three-match suspension, I see Kevin Doyle as key to Reading’s success as they look to his goals upfront to give them victory over United. Doyle has really taken to the Premier League this season scoring 12 goals in over 20 starts helping to secure Reading’s survival early on and hoping to push them into Europe in the coming weeks.

Doyle is quick, skillfull and has the ability to get into the six-yard box and make life difficult for any keeper in the Premiership. He has a very strong heading ability and is very hard to contest with in the air. Newcastle will have to be wary of his presence in the box from set pieces and also crosses from the wings. He has the ability to take defenders on and has the strength to win key battles which means Steven Taylor and Titus Bramble could be in for a very difficult evening.

» Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder

ON AMEOBI:

“We were told we would be lucky if he was fit to take part in pre-season training in early July.

“The thought of him playing again this year is amazing and he must be pleased with himself because he now he knows he probably will play this season.”

ON OWEN:

“I did not feel that Michael needed to play in midweek, even if he was available if I wanted him.

“But I wanted him to do more fitness work on the training ground, and with his experience he did not need to play for the Reserves.

“When he is full fit he will go straight back into first-team action, and there is a definite chance that will be Monday.

ON SIDWELL:

“I can understand why a lot of clubs are being linked with Steve Sidwell because he is a good player and he has had an outstanding season.”

» Reading manager Steve Coppell

ON NEWCASTLE:

“We have three games left and we will be going flat out to get all nine points if we can.

“It’s easier said than done however. With Newcastle maybe having Michael Owen back they have their own agenda.

“We have found Watford very hard to beat in recent years and then we have Blackburn, where no-one relishes going at the moment.”

ON READING’S FINANCIAL SITUATION:

“Success is bought, you have to say that now - success is bought.

“At the start of any given season, there is a limited, very small number of clubs who realistically can win the competition, the Premiership.

“The fact we are playing Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd, Tottenham, all these big clubs, we are in the same league, but realistically we are not in the same financial league.”

» BBC Sport’s Mark Lawrenson

I’ll go for Reading, buoyed by that result at Bolton which I thought was outstanding. I thought they were starting to look a bit tired and leggy but they seem to have come back and look like they’ll finish the season strongly.

As good as their result against Chelsea was, everybody knows Newcastle ain’t great on their travels.

Prediction: 2-0

» Sky Sports’ Matt Le Tissier

HOME WIN - II’ve seen Reading a few times this season and at home they are a threat to anyone. Newcastle still struggle on their travels and with the crowd behind them, the cameras there and that Uefa Cup place, I can see Reading flooding forward and winning this.

Prediction: 2-0

Steve Harper

Nolberto Solano
Steven Taylor
Titus Bramble
Stephen Carr

Kieron Dyer
Nicky Butt
Emre
James Milner

Obafemi Martins
Andy Carroll

I can see Newcastle winning this one. Although it will be difficult because Reading are actually playing for Europe and the Magpies are really just playing to finish as high as they can this season, I can see Newcastle’s class showing. And who knows, perhaps we could see the return of Ameobi and Owen to a Black and White shirt; that would provide a massive boost to everyone.

I think it’ll be 3-1 to United with Martins, Sibierski and Emre grabbing the goals for the Geordies at the Madejski. Howay the Lads!