Alan Pardew: “I went to Wigan and watched them against Arsenal, and there’s no doubt it’s going to be a tough game.
“They’re a very good team, which plays a particular brand of football which we’ll have to be prepared for.
“We’ll be looking for an improvement from the Tottenham game, and we’re obviously hoping to get that at Wigan.
"The Wigan and West Ham games are vital for us.
“Shola Ameobi will be back, which gives us more options.
“It will be a big boost to have Kevin Nolan back from suspension because he’s such an influential figure for us.
“I’m glad to have Jose back because we missed his quality against Tottenham. He’s going to be really important for us again.”
TEAM NEWS ...
Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is out of Sunday's Barclays Premier League trip to Wigan.
The 21-year-old was due to undergo a scan on a thigh injury, but will miss out at the DW Stadium and is also a major doubt for Wednesday night's home clash with West Ham.
However, Shola Ameobi is expected to be fit after shaking off the hamstring injury which has kept him out of the last two games, while skipper Kevin Nolan returns from suspension and Jose Enrique (also hamstring) and Sol Campbell (illness) should be available.
Midfielder Dan Gosling, who is yet to play for the club, is making rapid progress in his fight to return from a long-term knee injury, but Hatem Ben Arfa (double leg fracture) and Ryan Taylor (ankle ligaments) are still out.
Newcastle (from): Krul, Harper, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, S Taylor, Campbell, Kadar, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Smith, Routledge, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Tavernier, Donaldson, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Ranger, Xisco.