Jonathan Woodgate and Kieron Dyer both came through Monday’s reserve team victory against West Brom unscathed and are expected to start against Kevin Keegan’s lot.
Alan Shearer has recovered from the virus that kept him out of the Chelsea debacle and Andy O’Brien is fit despite pulling out of the Republic of Ireland squad that beat Canada 3-0 on Tuesday.
Unless Gary Speed or Steve Caldwell pick up injuries on international duty on Wednesday that should mean only Craig Bellamy and Andy Griffin are still on the injury list.