The indications are that he is unlikely to line up at St James' Park, although he should be fit for Saturday's crucial home test against fellow strugglers Plymouth.
Captain Cliff Byrne will miss out against the Magpies as he starts a five-match ban having been sent off for the third time this season at Portman Road.
However, midfielder Michael O'Connor returns from a three-game suspension and is contention for a place in the squad.
Rob Jones, Andrew Wright and Kenny Milne all made the bench against Ipswich after injury, while goalkeeper Joe Murphy shrugged off a wrist problem to continue between the sticks.
Ian Morris remains around five weeks away from a return as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
SCUNTHORPE v TOON ... THE HISTORY ...
2009/2010 Tue 20 Oct Scunthorpe U. 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Championship
1973/1974 Wed 30 Jan Scunthorpe U. 0 - 3 Newcastle Utd. F.A. Cup
Sat 26 Jan Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Scunthorpe U. F.A. Cup
1963/1964 Sat 18 Apr Scunthorpe U. 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Sat 07 Dec Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Scunthorpe U. Second Division
1962/1963 Sat 24 Nov Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Scunthorpe U. Second Division
Tue 04 Sep Scunthorpe U. 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
1961/1962 Sat 17 Mar Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Scunthorpe U. Second Division
Fri 27 Oct Scunthorpe U. 3 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Wed 13 Sep Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Scunthorpe U. League Cup
1957/1958 Sat 25 Jan Newcastle Utd. 1 - 3 Scunthorpe U. F.A. Cup