Danny Graham drought to end, says Nathan Dyer

Graham, the club’s record signing, who arrived last summer from Watford for a £3.5 million fee, had a slow start to life in south Wales, but has gone on to contribute 12 goals in all competitions. The former Middlesbrough and Carlisle United forward has also caught the eye with his all-round play and high workrate, but has not scored in six games since his double in the 3-2 home defeat by Norwich in mid-February.

But Dyer, 24, who is set to return to the starting line-up against the Magpies after coming back from suspension as a substitute at Tottenham last weekend, has no doubt Graham will soon be back among the goals.

He said: “Strikers go through these patches where you don’t score for a few games. Everyone doubted him at the start of the season, but if you had watched him in training you would have had no doubt. If he gets the chance he will put it away, as he has done before. All strikers go through it. He is working hard and his finishing is on the highest level.

“He is from Newcastle, so he is going to want to do his best and get on the scoresheet.”

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is unlikely to make many changes following his side’s 2-0 win over Liverpool last Sunday. Defender James Tavernier could be in contention after he was recalled from npower League 1 side MK Dons in a bid to bolster the defence in the absence of Fabricio Coloccini (hamstring) and Steven Taylor (Achilles).