Rolando Aarons is set to miss the rest of the season with a recurrence of a hamstring problem – and is NOT expected to play again this season.
But he (and Ferreyra) had been in contention to play in tonight’s Under-21 game against Derby County (7pm), which has been switched from Whitley Park to St James’s Park because of the involvement of Siem de Jong.
De Jong has recovered from the collapsed lung he suffered two months ago.
On-loan striker Facundo Ferreyra – who claims he has a back problem - is yet to play a competitive senior game for the club – but (according the club) is “likely” to be involved.
"Likely" isn't word in Ferreyra's dictionary, and the player who has told Alan Pardew and John Carver he was "not up to playing" will no doubt come down with another mystery illness.
He came to Tyneside, is allegedly on £17,000 per week, and he hasn't kicked a ball in any competitive fixture since he arrived.
Aarons, meanwhile, hasn’t played since early November, when he suffered a hamstring injury.
The luckless 19-year-old – who scored two goals in the early part of the campaign after forcing his way into then-manager Alan Pardew’s plans – later suffered a thigh problem, and (unlike Mr Parasite) he was looking forward to returning to the pitch.
Meanwhile, midfielder Olivier Kemen is looking to impress against Derby.
Kemen has been in recent first-team matchday squads, and is pushing to make his senior debut before the end of the season.
“It’s good for me, because I’ve been with the first team and I think I’ve progressed,” said the 18-year-old.
“When I go with the reserve team, I feel great. It’s not the case that because I’ve been with the first team I won’t work hard with the (Under-21) team.
“Every game, whether it’s with the first team, the reserves or the Under-19s for France, I have to be ready to battle in the game.”
Admission tonight is free to season ticket holders and club members. Otherwise, entry is £3 for adults and £1 concessions.