Newcastle vs Chelsea preview - Pardew wants fourth place for Christmas

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has challenged his players to take the chance to enjoy Christmas dinner sitting in fourth place in the Barclays Premier League table.

The Magpies head into the home clash with Chelsea sitting in exactly that position and a point clear of Andre Villas-Boas' men.

With home games against promoted Swansea and West Brom to come after next weekend's trip to Norwich, Pardew's men have been presented with an opportunity to extend their stay in the upper reaches of the table.

Full-back Ryan Taylor said: "When we play Chelsea on Saturday, we are one point above them now and to think we would be four points above them if we beat them, that would be massive going into Christmas.

"The Gaffer mentioned today, 'Imagine having your Christmas dinner sitting in fourth position'.

"What a fantastic achievement that would be for a club that before the season started, people were writing off after losing so many players.

"It just shows the quality we have got in their place."

Even within the camp, where the belief was that a re-shaped squad could still prosper this season, there was little expectation that they might fare so well during the opening months of the campaign.

However, having already amassed 26 points towards their first target of 40, they are in little move to ease off even if they are able to enjoy the festivities still rubbing shoulders with the big boys.

Taylor said: "I'd rather crack open a bottle of champagne sitting in fourth place in May.

"Having Christmas dinner sitting in fourth would be a great achievement, but I am sure we can kick on from there.

"Once we try to get to that point where people say you need 40 points, then I'm sure a few can maybe relax and show a bit more and we can express ourselves a bit more."

It promises be an emotional afternoon on Tyneside as the club pays its respects to former midfielder Gary Speed following his untimely death.

In addition, the game will be the first to be played at St James' Park since it was controversially re-named the Sports Direct Arena.

Pardew will once again be without injured midfielder Cheik Tiote, while winger Jonas Gutierrez is suspended.

Meanwhile, Villas-Boas has insisted Chelsea do not need to play Daniel Sturridge at centre-forward to help them arrest their alarming slump.

Sturridge's performances have been one of few positives for the Blues during the nightmare run that has piled the pressure on new manager Villas-Boas in recent weeks.

Sturridge is the club's joint top scorer this season on seven goals, despite playing almost exclusively on the right of a three-man attack.

Indeed, he has netted as many times as Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Romelu Lukaku combined, the four forwards Villas-Boas has entrusted to spearhead the attack this season.

The Chelsea boss explained his plans to Sturridge after taking charge during the summer but that has not prevented the 22-year-old repeatedly declaring his desire to occupy a more central role, most recently after making his England debut in last month's friendly win over Sweden.

Yet, Villas-Boas said ahead of the game at Newcastle: "There is no purpose in using Daniel up front.

"Our conversation at the beginning of the season was that we saw his potential on the wings - not only myself but also (Fabio) Capello and (former Chelsea manager Carlo) Ancelotti.

"We know he likes the striker position. It doesn't mean that he cannot perform it to the best and, if needs be, we will use him.

"But he will be here with us always counting most likely as a right winger."