Newcastle United fans are keeping their fingers crossed that Ciaran Clark will be fit to start tonight's crucial Championship clash against Preston North End.

The Magpies will be promoted to the Premier League if they earn a victory over Preston at St James' Park.

It has been an impressive campaign from Rafael Benitez's side, but they suffered a wobble in recent weeks by losing two and drawing another in their last three league matches.

They head into tonight's fixture off the back of a 3-1 loss to Ipswich, but with promotion on the horizon, the players should be buoyed for the encounter against 11th-placed opposition.

Following Brighton's surprise defeat to Norwich City on Friday, Newcastle still have an opportunity of finishing the season as Championship winners given that there is a seven-point gap with three games left to play.

Last week, Benitez revealed that Clark could be available for the match against Preston after he returned to training.

The defender has not featured since last month's defeat to Fulham, and the supporters are keen for him to replace Jamaal Lascelles.

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