Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers at St James' Park.

The Magpies come into this game on the back of a hot run of form having won their last five games in all competitions to turn their season around. There has been no such luck for QPR, meanwhile, who are currently inside the bottom three suffering their joint-worst ever start to a campaign.

Kickoff is less than an hour away, so let's take a look at how both teams line up for this one...

Starting with the visitors, the big news is that Eduardo Vargas misses out due to the birth of his daughter. The Chile international was always a doubt coming into this one due partly because of his international duties this week, while the same was true of Mauricio Isla, who is not among the starting XI this afternoon.

Rio Ferdinand is serving the final game of his suspension, meaning a place in the heart of defence for Richard Dunne alongside Steven Caulker. Joey Barton returned to action prior to the international break with a substitute appearance against former club Manchester City, and he faces another of his old sides today in the shape of Newcastle United. Karl Henry was expected to make way, but he retains his place. Charlie Austin and Bobby Zamora, who have linked up well over the past month or so, start up top in a 4-4-2 formation.

There's a welcome return to the Newcastle United starting lineup for Ryan Taylor, meanwhile, who today makes his first Premier League start in 32(!) months; his last coming against Sunderland in March 2012. Further up the field, the recent form of Ayoze Perez is enough to keep Papiss Cisse among the substitutes, while Paul Dummett appears to have been moved into a more central position in the heart of defence due to injury problems.

Mehdi Abdi and Gabriel Obertan are both on the sidelines, as are Rolando Aarons and Cheick Tiote, forcing manager Alan Pardew to shift his team around slightly for this afternoon's match. The big news surrounds the return of Taylor, though, who fills in for the absent Fabricio Coloccini.

So as already touched on, Cisse has to make do with a place among the Newcastle backups, while 17-year-old Adam Amstrong will be looking to impress on his first Premier League appearance from the bench should he be called upon.

Injury-plagued Jordon Mutch is deemed unfit to start from the off for the Hoops, meanwhile, and Niko Kranjcar has been overlooked in a stern looking midfield four for the visiting side. Junior Hoilett and Matty Phillips can both provide some attacking width should they be called upon.

Well Newcastle come into this game in a far more buoyant mood than they were in a month or so back. A winless run of seven games at the start of the campaign saw Pardew come under intense pressure, and many - myself included - thought his time was up following that heavy defeat against Southampton. But credit to him, and also backer Mike Ashley, for sticking to the task at hand and turning around the Magpies' faltering season.

Four wins on the bounce in the league for Pardew's men has seen them close in on a European spot, although right now - to use a cliche - it is very much about taking it one game at a time in the Premier League. There is also a League Cup quarter-final for supporters to look forward to following that shock win at holders Manchester City earlier this month, meaning that things aren't actually all that bad as we return to domestic club football.

Things have not been so good for QPR, who are currently camped inside the Premier League's bottom three. Although it is not all that bad for R's fans, with the club's recent performances enough to offer a small glimmer of hope. In fact, a point against champions Man City last time out, which arguably should have been all three points, provides a brilliant springboard to push on this afternoon and climb to safety.

Prior to that draw, QPR also came close to upsetting Chelsea and Liverpool, while they also comfortably saw off fellow strugglers Aston Villa at Loftus Road. That said, the Premier League is a relentless division, and Harry Redknapp's men must simply start accumulating points if they are to avoid another drop down to the Championship.

The good news is that after today's game the West London outfit face Leicester City and Burnley, meaning that a point at St James' Park this afternoon will surely be seen as a positive result against an in-form Toon side.

The incentive is certainly there for the hosts to take all three points...

DID YOU KNOW? Queens Park Rangers come into today's game having lost all five of their away games this season, conceding 14 and scoring just three goals on their league travels. Newcastle, on the other hand, are looking for their sixth win on the bounce, conceding just once in their last five games in all competitions.

HEAD-TO-HEAD! The omens are also good for the home side in terms of previous meetings, having gone eight games unbeaten against today's opponents. In fact, you have to go back to 1995 to find QPR's last triumph in this fixture. Will that change on Tyneside come 5pm this evening?

In terms of players to keep a close eye on, both sides currently have a striker very much in form. In the blue and white corner we have Charlie Austin, the man who has scored five in his last six and has this week been backed to break into the England senior fold before Euro 2016. There is no doubt that his form has improved since the inclusion of Bobby Zamora alongside him, and in what looks to be a straightforward 4-4-2 formation from the Hoops this afternoon, those two could cause a danger against Newcastle's makeshift back-four.

The opposition side can call on Ayoze Perez, meanwhile, who boasts winning strikes in three of Newcastle's games over the past month. He will be looking to extend that record here today, fielded alongside Sammy Ameobi and Remy Cabella in a 4-3-3 set-up.

It will also be interesting to see how Joey Barton gets on against one of his former clubs, especially in the wake of his comments in the build-up to this game when he admitted that he would not have joined the Magpies had he known more about owner Mike Ashley. He will need to be on the top of his game if he is to guide his side to just a second win in nine.

Kickoff is now less than 10 minutes away, meaning that there is still time to watch Sports Mole's On The Sofa team give their views ahead of this big Premier League meeting.

PREDICTION! Well if the pre-match stats are anything to go by, then there is only going to be one winner here today. But we all know that football throws up surprises, and going on recent QPR performances, it wouldn't be that much of a shock to see them hold their opponents to a draw this afternoon. That said, Newcastle have been in scintillating form of late, and despite their momentum having been held-up somewhat by the international break, I can see them running out 2-0 winners in from of their home support.

The teams are now out onto the field, welcomed by a great backing from all four corners of the ground. This one is set up to be an entertaining clash, which will hopefully include a few goals. The incentive is certainly their for both sides for differing reasons - QPR need points to climb to safety; Newcastle are eyeing up a spot in Europe at this moment in time.

KICKOFF! Here we go then, as QPR get us underway at St James' Park.

An early opening for QPR which is worked brilliantly on the right. Onuoha played in Zamora down the line, and the striker looked to pick out a teammate in the middle, only for Dummett - today playing at centre-back - to clear away the danger.

Newcastle have obviously done their homework, because they are ensuring that Zamora's flick-ons do not make it into the path of strike-partner Austin. Their link-up play has been key for the visiting side of late, and the Magpies' back four will have to be alert.

Colback almost makes something out of nothing, chasing down Rob Green's attempted hoof up the field which rebounds off him back towards goal. It ended narrowly wide, however, but his work-rate certainly pleased the home supporters.

Newcastle are working the ball well at the moments, playing out from the back up the flank into dangerous positions. On this occasion they only have a corner to show for their efforts, which comes to nothing. A good, positive start to the game.

SHOT! Some more intricate passing from Newcastle, and this time there is a shot at the end of the move. Cabella cut in from the left, but his weak shot was easily dealt with down low by Green.

A quick note on Dummett and Williamson who are starting at the back for the first time this afternoon. They seem to have clicked straight from the off, thwarting any danger from Zamora and stepping up to catch the opposition offside. More testing challenges to come in the next 77 minutes, no doubt.

SHOT! Well have I spoken a little too soon? Austin pounced when the ball was flicked up the line, getting the better of Dummett and charging goalwards. The angle was always against him when he was through on goal, though, and the effort was blasted well wide.

Green has had to be alert a few times over the last couple of minutes to clear away numerous Newcastle set pieces played into the box, as well as Taylor's dipping attempt. At the moments the hosts have been unable to capitalise on corners and free kicks lofted into the box, with the Hoops' No.1 standing firm.

SAVE! Some great play from Perez allowed Cabella to turn and tee up Taylor, who in turn forced Green into making another save. He is loving his return to action at the moment! Still goalless at St James' Park, but this contest is certainly not lacking action.

Cabella has been gifted far too much space in the hole at times in the opening minutes or so, although in fairness a shot on goal has never really come into the question. There has been some terrific link-up play from the hosts, yet no real end product.

Newcastle's momentum continuing to build as Haidara is played in down the left only for his dangerous-looking cross to be turned behind for a corner - the Toon's seventh of the afternoon so far.

QPR just being pegged further and further back as this half wares on, and the danger is telling as Newcastle win a free kick within shooting range. Ryan Taylor is stepping up to take it, and he certainly knows how to strike the ball...

The ball is hit straight into the wall, and the danger is cleared by QPR. We have lacked real quality in the final third in the opening 30 minutes, with chances few and far between. Newcastle have been the better side, but QPR have also looked dangerous at times, too.

CHANCE! Another decent opening for QPR as Austin threads the ball into Fer. The Dutchman continued his stride towards goal, but the ball just got away from his feet which allowed Williamson to come across him and block his run. There was a brief shout for a penalty, yet the referee got the decision correct.

Some bad news here as Ryan Taylor stays down on the field after misplacing a pass. He has been through hell over the past couple of years, and his afternoon could be over with 32 minutes gone.

NEWCASTLE SUB: Taylor is distraught as his return to action ends inside the opening 45 minutes. He has missed the last 32 months of Premier League action, and could face another spell on the sidelines. Such a shame. Gouffran is the man to replace him.

The game has just lost its edge following that short stoppage, and it looks like we are heading towards a goalless first half. QPR will be pleased with that, while Newcastle will themselves not be too disheartened in the knowledge that they have played some decent football at times.

There's been a few great tussles between Zamora and Williamson this half, and on this occasion the decision goes the way of the Newcastle man, who wins his side a free kick. The Toon's makeshift backline have done well so far, bar that early chance for Austin when Dummett was caught in possession.

YELLOW CARD! Nedum Onuoha is shown the first caution of the match following his challenge on Massadio Haidara.

SHOT! There's been a real lacking of cutting-edge chances in the past 15 minutes or so, and to be fair in the whole half in general, although Newcastle are ending the first 45 minutes well. The ball is well worked out to the left, and it eventually makes its way to Janmaat on the edge of the box who fires a shot narrowly wide.

SAVE! Well out of nowhere Dunne forces Krul into making a very important save. A corner worked its way to the centre-back around 14 yards from goal, and his looping header was heading in under the crossbar if not for the Dutchman's intervention.

Green collects another ball which is whipped into the box by Sissoko for the umpteenth time, which will surely signal the end of the first half.

Referee Chris Foy brings the first 45 minutes to a close with the sides locked at 0-0. It has not been the worst half of football, but it has certainly lacked some cutting edge in the final third. The final couple of minutes summed up the game well, with both sides creating half chances which came to nothing.

Newcastle will argue that they have had the better chances, and although they have played the better football on the whole, the game has been fairly even thus far. Williamson and Dummett have done well enough at the back, while Zamora and Austin have yet to fully click, which is a compliment to the makeshift centre-back duo.

The biggest piece of news from the first half surrounds the short return of Ryan Taylor, of course, who was replaced with just over half an hour played due to injury. He has suffered a torrid time over the past couple of years, and on his first start since 2012 he looked lively, forcing Green into a couple of saves. Let's just hope he can return to the field sooner rather than later; his reaction suggests that may not be the case, though.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Chris Foy resumes play on Tyneside, with Newcastle instantly pushing forward and winning themselves a couple of corner kicks.

Nervy moments from the visitors as Newcastle up the ante. Cabella whipped in a couple of tasty crosses which seemed to avoid everyone, while Ameobi eventually got a strike away inside the box which was brilliantly blocked by Joey Barton. Encouraging start from Pardew's charges.

Some respite for the Hoops as Barton picks out Austin, only for his volleyed-strike to be comfortably kept out by Krul. Incidentally, Taylor is still being assessed following the recurrence of that knee injury he picked up in the first half.

A brief stoppage in play as Sandro remains down on the field having turned his ankle following a challenge with Cabella. It looked nasty, and his afternoon may be over which will be a huge dent to QPR's hopes this afternoon.

Kranjcar steps up his warm-up, but Sandro is back on the field. He offers a real presence in the middle, so Redknapp will be keen for him to remain on the pitch for the remaining 33 minutes or so.

CHANCE! Well the game's best chance by some distance fell the way of Perez, who was unable to find a way past Green. Sissoko played a brilliantly-weighted pass into his path, but the striker took some extra touches which were perhaps unneeded, and the onrushing Green was on hand to block the attempt.

YELLOW CARD! Sissoko, the man who created that chance with his pass, is booked for for tugging back on Suk-Young Yun's shirt.

QPR SUB: As expected Sandro's afternoon is over with Kranjcar the man to replace him. It's hardly like-for-like, and the Croatia international could provide some added attacking impetus at the expense of defensive resolve. That could change the complex of the game completely.

Zamora is still continuing to battle away with Newcastle's defenders, and coming out second best in large. Meanwhile, Ameobi came close to heading a cross into the box towards goal, but he couldn't quite get the right connection and it flew wide of the target. Sissoko's marauding run once more created that move.

Zamora given another brief sight of goal, but he is unable to force Krul into making a stop. There is no doubt that the visitors are growing in confidence, and a lot of the noise is coming from the away section right now.

Janmaat is the latest player to go down injured, with Kranjcar receiving a round of applause for kicking the ball out of play so that his opponent can be given some treatment. Elsewhere, Cisse looks as though he could be introduced shortly. The onus is on the home side as we enter the final 24 minutes.

NEWCASTLE SUB: Cisse, who only returned from international duty late last night, replaces Cabella for the Magpies.

Kranjcar is played in, but there is far too many bodies between him and the goal. That wasn't enough to stop him getting a shot away, however, which was inevitably blocked behind to the dismay of Austin.

CHANCE! Both goalkeepers have had to be alert in the last few moments to collect fairly straightforward balls. The best opening fell to Perez around 12 yards from goal, but his effort was not enough to get the better of the R's stopper who collected down low. Same old story at the moment.

YELLOW CARD! Richard Dunne is the latest player to be booked following a late challenge on Ayoze Perez.

Almost a chance for Sissoko following Perez's pass, but Green raced out, got to the ball and won his side a free kick.

Newcastle's captain for the day, and their best player this afternoon, fires his side into the lead 12 minutes from time. It came at the end of another well-worked Toon attack, which culminated in Ameobi picking out his teammate, and Sissoko turned inside the box before firing the ball beyond Green.

QPR SUB: Hoilett has been introduced in place of Karl Henry. Newcastle may have to sit back and soak up the pressure in the final 10 minutes, as QPR chase down an equaliser.

Newcastle win themselves a corner which will allow them to eat up some valuable time. The hosts need to remain professional in the closing stages of the game in order to see out the win.

The Hoops are unable to clear their lines at the moment, with Newcastle the side looking more likely to add the game's second goal. Still five minutes to go, however, and all that can change in the blink of an eye.

SHOT! Some quick thinking from Suk-Young Yun sees him take a throw into the path of substitute Hoilett, who is unable to take advantage of Newcastle's sleepy defence. His shot from distance was smashed high and wide to the relief of the home fans.

NEWCASTLE SUB: Perez leaves the field as we enter the final minute of normal time, with 17-year-old Adam Armstrong the man to replace him. Newcastle looking fairly comfortable.

CHANCE! We have five minutes of added on time to play at St James' Park, but it's still all Newcastle and they should have put the game beyond doubt. Sissoko has been brilliant all afternoon, and his charge forward opened up some space with Cisse the man to be played in, but he failed to get enough on his effort when through one-on-one and Barton was back to clear off the line.

Caulker is remaining up top for the final few minutes it seems, although when it looked as though his side were about to build some momentum, Barton's wild effort allowed Newcastle to regain possession. Three minutes to go.

YELLOW CARD! Armstrong has only been on the field for a few moments, but he has already entered the referee's book. QPR desperately running out of time now.

SHOT! Newcastle still creating the best chances even when holding onto this one-goal lead. Cisse saw his shot from inside the box deflected wide by Barton for a corner. That will surely be that.

Some danger at the back for Newcastle, but Austin was unable to control the ball, while Barton's tame strike was deflected away. QPR really should have made more of that late, late opening.

So there we have it, as Chris Foy brings the game to a close. Newcastle did just about enough to claim all three points, which sees them extend their winning run to six games in all competitions.

Well that's all from me for now, but be sure to stick around on Sports Mole as we bring you a full match report, player ratings and analysis from St James' Park. Thanks for joining!