Newcastle United full-back Celestine Babayaro could return to the starting line-up for tomorrow's Barclays Premiership clash with Liverpool.
The 28-year-old Nigeria international has missed the last 11 games with a hamstring injury, but is back in the squad after returning to training.
Kieron Dyer is fit despite suffering from the after-effects of his exertions for England in midweek, but full-back Stephen Carr could be sidelined for a month with the thigh injury which forced him to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad.
Emre (calf), Shay Given (groin), Peter Ramage and Craig Moore (both hamstring), Michael Owen and Charles N'Zogbia (both knee) and Shola Ameobi are still out.
Liverpool will have captain Steven Gerrard in the squad after he played just 45 minutes for England in midweek due to a 'niggling' injury picked up last weekend in the Merseyside derby against Everton.
Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso misses the Barclays Premiership match at St James Park due to a one-match suspension.
Boss Rafael Benitez could also call in Mohamed Sissoko, who has been back in full training following a dislocated shoulder sustained at Birmingham in November.
Newcastle United squad (provisional): Harper, Srnicek, Solano, Babayaro, Edgar, Taylor, Bramble, Onyewu, Huntington, Butt, Parker, Milner, Duff, Pattison, Troisi, Gate, Martins, Dyer, Sibierski, Luque, Carroll, LuaLua.
Liverpool squad (provisional): Reina, Finnan, Agger, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Aurelio, Pennant, Gerrard, Sissoko, Zenden, Bellamy, Crouch, Kuyt, Fowler, Gonzalez, Arbeloa, Dudek.
