Newcastle United will be looking for a third victory in a row when they take on struggling Derby County in their next Premiership match on Sunday.

The Magpies are in midst of a mini-revival, winning their last two matches against Birmingham City and Fulham thanks to injury time winners. Sam Allardyce's side is currently positioned 10th in the league table with 25 points from 17 matches, though fans will be hoping that the club moves further up the table and emerges as a serious challenger for a European spot.

Allardyce will be pleased with the level of performance shown by his defense in their last three games with the club conceding just 2 goals in the process. Newcastle have a fairly easy set of fixtures in the Christmas period with the club slated to play Derby County and Wigan Athletic followed by a visit to Chelsea.

Steven Taylor is available for selection after recovering from his hamstring injury though there is a doubt over Michael Owen's participation in the clash with Allardyce stating that the 28-year old is yet to return back to full fitness following a thigh injury.

Meanwhile Paul Jewell is still searching for his first points as the Derby County manager with the club losing its seventh straight league match at the hands of Middlesbrough last weekend. Derby's prospects of Premiership football next season is getting bleaker with each match and the club is firmly entrenched at the foot of the table with just 6 points from 17 games.

With Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers and a resurgent Bolton Wanderers to follow, Derby face a tough task of overhauling the 8 point difference that they need in order to get out of the drop zone.

Watch Newcastle United vs Derby County live on free-football.tv.