Central defender Steven Taylor has returned to training after a hamstring injury and is expected to play for the reserves next week, while striker Shola Ameobi will travel to America on Thursday to have a protective mask for his fractured cheekbone fitted, and he could be available for Bolton's visit to St James' Park on February 26.
Ryan Taylor is working his way back to fitness after an ankle injury, but Stephen Ireland, Dan Gosling (both knee), Alan Smith (ankle) and Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg) remain on the sidelines.
NEWCASTLE (from): Harper, Krul, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Campbell, Tiote, Barton, Nolan, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Richardson, Lovenkrands, Best, Ranger, Kuqi.
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has no fresh injury worries.
Blues welcome the Magpies to the West Midlands in a re-arranged clash eager to capitalise on the game in hand over their relegation rivals.
Former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins could start again while Cameron Jerome is also in contention. McLeish has a full squad to choose from with the exception of long-term injury victims James McFadden and Scott Dann.
BIRMINGHAM (from): Foster, Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Davies, Ridgewell, Bentley, Gardner, Ferguson, Bowyer, Jerome, Zigic, Martins, Doyle, Parnaby, Murphy, Fahey, Larsson, Hleb, Beausejour, Mutch, Phillips, Derbyshire.