Watford welcome back captain Gavin Mahon for their trip to St James Park. The influential midfielder missed the 0-0 draw with Reading last weekend due to suspension after picking up five bookings this season, but he is available again and is almost certain to replace Al Bangura in the centre.
But on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster remains sidelined with a knee injury, while forward Marlon King (knee) and defender Clarke Carlisle (thigh) are long-term absentees.
WATFORD (from): Lee, Chamberlain, Chambers, Shittu, DeMerit, Stewart, Powell, Mackay, Doyley, Mariappa, Smith, Francis, Bangura, Bouazza, Mahon, Spring, McNamee, Young, Henderson, Priskin, Jarrett.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS IN RECENT YEARS - TOON v WATFORD
2006/2007 Tue 07 Nov Watford 2 - 2 Newcastle Utd. League Cup
after extra time, 90 minutes 1-1, Newcastle United won 5-4 on penalties
1999/2000 Sat 11 Mar Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Watford Premiership
Sat 20 Nov Watford 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
1992/1993 Tue 23 Mar Watford 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. League Division One
Sat 21 Nov Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Watford League Division One
1991/1992 Sat 11 Jan Watford 2 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Sat 24 Aug Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Watford Second Division
1990/1991 Sat 09 Mar Watford 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Sat 24 Nov Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Watford Second Division
1989/1990 Sat 10 Mar Watford 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Wed 27 Sep Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Watford Second Division
1988/1989 Wed 18 Jan Watford 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. F.A. Cup
after extra time, 90 minutes 0-0
Mon 16 Jan Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Watford F.A. Cup
after extra time, 90 minutes 0-0
Tue 10 Jan Watford 2 - 2 Newcastle Utd. F.A. Cup
after extra time, 90 minutes ?-?
Sat 07 Jan Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Watford F.A. Cup
1987/1988 Tue 19 Apr Watford 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Tue 12 Apr Newcastle Utd. 3 - 0 Watford First Division
1986/1987 Sat 27 Dec Watford 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 15 Nov Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Watford First Division
1985/1986 Sat 05 Apr Watford 4 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 02 Nov Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Watford First Division
1984/1985 Sat 02 Mar Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Watford First Division
Sat 27 Oct Watford 3 - 3 Newcastle Utd. First Division