The 27-year-old has been included after recovering from surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot which sidelined him for more than five months, although he is short of competitive match fitness.
Central defender Mike Williamson could play with a protective cast on his broken hand after Fitz Hall was ruled out with the hamstring injury he suffered during Saturday's 2-2 draw at Bristol City.
Peter Lovenkrands and Alan Smith (both ankle) will be missing once again but are expected to be available for Monday night's potentially crucial showdown with third-placed Nottingham Forest at St James' Park.
Shola Ameobi is out with a hamstring injury and Steven Taylor is in hospital suffering from an upper cut from Andy Carroll.