PETER RAMAGE has picked out four Newcastle players that Palace will have to look out for at St James' Park.
The Eagles defender - a former Magpie of course - who is on loan at Barnsley, admits he will be keeping abreast of what's happening on Tyneside, especially if he is ruled out of the Tykes' game with AFC Bournemouth through injury.
And on that subject, Ramage says Palace will be boosted by two of the home side's players missing out.
"Newcastle have a few injuries but hopefully Palace can take advantage of that and come away with a positive result," the 30-year-old said.
"I won't be able to go to the game, I'll be with Barnsley but I will have one eye on it. I'll have a foot in both camps.
"It will be a tough task getting past Tim Krul. I played with him through the youth teams and he's a top quality goalkeeper.
"Mike Williamson is also having a top season alongside Fabio Coloccini, while you can never write off Papiss Cisse.
"He hasn't had the greatest of seasons but he is a proven goalscorer so Palace will have to look out for him too, but there's quality throughout the squad.
"It will be a tough game for Palace but also for Newcastle. Loic Remy and Mathieu Debuchy will be big misses as they are two players who will probably go to the World Cup. Remy is the man of the season for Newcastle so it is a big boost for Palace that he isn't playing, and Debuchy is a quality right-back."
Ramage started his career with the Magpies having grown up in the area and like the majority of Newcastle fans, has watched Alan Pardew closely in the managerial hotseat.
Pardew misses the game as part of a seven-match ban for headbutting Hull City player David Meyler, with a stadium ban imposed for the first three games.
But Ramage does not believe that will affect Newcastle.
"You obviously want your manager, your leader, to be on the touchline," he said. "It was disappointing to see what happened at Hull, and in a personal way it's nice to see he's got that passion.
"He did overstep that line though, and he has apologised which was only right. I have known John Carver well since I was ten years old and on the touchline he's more than capable of leading the side.
