Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder believes that Ireland vice-captain Shay Given is winning the race to be fit for this Saturday's trip to Everton.
If Given does play, it will be his 400th appearance for the Magpies, and will join a group of only eight players to amass that total.
Veteran goalkeeper Pavl Snernick is on hand to deputise if the Donegal man does not recover in time from his groin injury.