Fabricio Coloccini and Cheick Tiote could both return to the Newcastle squad for tomorrow night's Capital One Cup trip to Manchester United.
Argentina defender Coloccini has recovered from a hamstring injury after being allowed to stay with his national side's medical team, and Ivory Coast midfielder Tiote has finally shaken off a calf problem.
Manager Alan Pardew is again likely to rest several of his big names and has hinted Rob Elliot could get another chance in goal, while first-choice keeper Tim Krul (elbow) is hoping to be given the go-ahead to resume training when he sees his specialist tomorrow and full-back Danny Simpson (hamstring) could re-join his team-mates later this week.
Provisional squad: Harper, Elliot, Tavernier, Ferguson, Perch, S. Taylor, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Ben Arfa, Anita, Bigirimana, Gosling, Marveaux, Obertan, Vuckic, Abeid, Amalfitano, Sammy Ameobi, Ba, Cisse, Shola Ameobi, Campbell.
