Hughes missed the goalless draw at Brentford on Saturday because of a bug but the 35-year-old is expected to resume training at the start of this week.
It will be a boost for the Magpies as the club attempt to seal an League One play-off spot because they only had two fit strikers at Griffin Park - Dele Adebola and Daniel Bogdanovic.
"Lee has had a virus. He came back in after a couple of days off and didn't feel well so we sent him straight home and he went to see his own doctor," said Curle. "We've kept him away from the rest of the players, but I've been told he's already feeling better so we're hoping he will be back in."
Curle also hopes that on-loan winger Lloyd Sam, who has scored five goals in seven league games since arriving from Leeds, will not be sidelined with an injury for the run-in after he limped off early in the second half against Brentford.
"He felt a twinge so we brought him off to try to make sure he might still be available," Curle added.
