Midfielder Jack Colback could again be asked to play at left-back against his former club Sunderland, who are themselves sweating on the fitness of captain Wes Brown, who has a knee problem.
And utility man Ryan Taylor – who scored Newcastle’s last derby-winning goal in August 2011 – is likely to continue at right-back, where he was fielded in last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal.
Janmaat, meanwhile, is on international duty with Holland along with goalkeeper Tim Krul, and Carver faces an anxious few days waiting to see if they come through unscathed given their importance to his derby plans.