Cheik Tiote returns from his three-match ban as Newcastle return to action against Arsenal at St James' Park for the first time since Andy Carroll's departure.
Shola Ameobi is out and will undergo surgery next week to repair the cheekbone he fractured during Wednesday night's 1-0 Premier League defeat at Fulham.
Manager Alan Pardew will make a late decision on central defender Fabricio Coloccini, who has a hamstring problem, with former Arsenal centre-half Sol Campbell standing by.
But Ryan Taylor (ankle) Steven Taylor (hamstring), Dan Gosling (knee), Alan Smith (ankle) and Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg) remain on the sidelines.
Arsenal will be without midfielder Alex Song (thigh), but Theo Walcott has shaken off an ankle problem.
Centre-half Sebastien Squillaci returns from suspension, but midfielders Denilson and Samir Nasri (both hamstring) remain out.
Defender Thomas Vermaelen continues his recovery from an Achilles problem, but goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will now miss the rest of the season as he is set to have surgery on a shoulder injury.
Newcastle (from): Harper, Krul, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Campbell, Tiote, Barton, Nolan, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Richardson, Lovenkrands, Best, Ranger.
Arsenal (from): Szczesny, Clichy, Djourou, Koscielny, Sagna, Wilshere, Diaby, Fabregas, Walcott, Rosicky, van Persie, Almunia, Chamakh, Bendtner, Arshavin, Eboue, Gibbs, Squillaci.
