Under-fire Steve McClaren continues his search for a first Premier League win as Newcastle United head coach when Norwich City visit St James' Park on Sunday afternoon.

As the pressure builds on the Magpies boss, Norwich could climb into the top half of the table if results go their way over the weekend.

Newcastle

It was supposed to be a new start under McClaren, but the long-suffering fans of Newcastle are more frustrated than ever as they stare a relegation battle in the face after eight league games.

Of course, it could all change very quickly if McClaren's side finally begin to click over the next few weeks, and with the campaign still young, Newcastle could move up the table with a couple of positive results.

However, the form table does not make for happy reading after collecting just three points from eight games, and they have won only one of their last 19 league matches in a dismal run stretching back to February.

Before McClaren, it was John Carver who had the weight of the city on his shoulders. He eventually secured their top-flight status for another season but after a summer of investment, the club's supporters were hopeful of so much more.

The performance before the international break summed up the current mood as Newcastle took the lead away to Manchester City, before five-goal Sergio Aguero led the response for the hosts in an embarrassing 6-1 defeat.

If the bookmakers are to be believed, McClaren could be the next manager to leave, and another defeat at the weekend would put the club in a difficult position as they continue to search desperately for that first victory.

The focus may be on the boss at the moment, but it will be the players in the spotlight from 4pm Sunday as the locals arrive in hope with another disappointing campaign currently appearing to be an inevitability.

Recent form: DLLLDL
Recent form (all competitions): LLLLDL

Norwich

After impressing with their performances in September, Norwich were halted just before the international break when they slipped to a 2-1 defeat against high-flying Leicester City at Carrow Road.

The Canaries were the latest victims in Leicester's impressive start to the season, but Alex Neil will point to their September form as a reason to be confident, with draws away to Liverpool and West Ham United coming after a comfortable win over Bournemouth.

If Norwich are to return to winning ways this weekend and improve over the next few weeks, the focus must certainly be on the defence after conceding 14 goals in their opening eight league games.

Despite coping well for long spells on their return to the Premier League, Neil may feel that his side have missed the opportunity to add to their tally of just two wins and he will be fully aware that admirable displays without victories will not get them very far this season.

"There have been a couple of games this season where I felt we've deserved to win but we haven't. Those four or five extra points would put you in a very different scenario," the Scot told the club's website this week.

Currently sitting in 13th with nine points, Norwich will look at matches against Newcastle and West Bromwich Albion over the next two weeks as good chances to climb into the top half of the table, but the key will be producing their best over 90 minutes, rather than the short spells of dominance which have not been enough to give them more success so far this season.

Recent form: DLWDDL
Recent form (all competitions): LWDWDL

Team News

A difficult period for McClaren was made much worse during the international break as Tim Krul suffered a knee injury which will keep him out for the rest of the season, and his absence will provide an opportunity for Rob Elliot.

There is good news elsewhere as Jack Colback, Massadio Haidara and Paul Dummett look set to return to the squad, while Daryl Janmaat has shaken off a knee problem to train with his teammates this week.

Despite his performances in helping Northern Ireland reach Euro 2016, Kyle Lafferty remains behind a number of his attacking teammates in the pecking order and his chances could be limited further as Gary Hooper and Lewis Grabban are likely to earn spots in the squad after both were recently troubled by ankle injuries.

Youssouf Mulumbu is back in training after suffering a broken foot in the summer, but he is still not ready to make his competitive debut for the Canaries.

Newcastle possible starting lineup:
Elliot, Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett, Colback, Tiote, Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Perez, Mitrovic

Norwich possible starting lineup:
Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Olsson, Tettey, Howson, Brady, Hoolahan, Redmond, Jerome

Head To Head

It was the referee who took centre stage when these two sides last met in January 2014 as both Loic Remy and Bradley Johnson received red cards in a goalless draw at Carrow Road.

Newcastle have enjoyed the better of the clash in recent years, and head into Sunday's match on a five-game unbeaten run against Norwich.

The younger Norwich fans will not remember their side's last win at St James' Park, with a 2-0 win in 1988 their last success on a trip to Tyneside.

We say: Newcastle 1-2 Norwich

If reports are to be believed, McClaren may not have many more opportunities to save his job. Much of Newcastle's hopes could rest on how they handle the pressure of playing in front of a frustrated crowd as they look to deliver a first win of the season. The hope will be that the international break arrived at the right time following their loss to an Aguero-inspired Man City, but Norwich should enjoy not being the side in the spotlight this weekend. Neil's side have played well in flashes on the road and they could sneak a win which would pile the pressure on McClaren.