Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy is expected to make his return from injury against Fulham at St James' Park.
Gary Speed is included after shaking off a hamstring problem, but Shola Ameobi (knee) and Jamie McClen (calf) both remain sidelined.
Fulham's Lee Clark has been told to forget making a comeback this season and focus on recovering from his Achilles and calf injuries by August.
The midfielder is seeking specialist opinions on his lower leg and misses the opportunity to take on his former club.
The 29-year-old had originally targeted next Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea for his comeback - but Cottagers physio Jason Palmer has now ruled him out until the summer.
Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Hughes, Distin, Elliott, Dabizas, O'Brien, Speed, Dyer, Solano, Robert, Jenas, Acuna, Bernard, Shearer, Bellamy, Cort, Lua Lua.
Fulham (from): Van der Sar, Brevett, Finnan, Melville, Goma, Ouaddou, Collins, Legwinski, Knight, Malbranque, Davis, Taylor, Marlet, Saha, Hayles, Boa Morte.