Newcastle boss Chris Hughton will be without first-choice central defenders Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson.
Both men begin three-match suspensions, the Argentinian following his red card in the 5-1 defeat at Bolton last weekend and his English team-mate after his ban on video evidence for violent conduct against Johan Elmander in the same game.
Sol Campbell and Steven Taylor are set to deputise, although neither has started a Premier League game yet this season.
Joey Barton completes his own three-match ban, but Cheik Tiote is back after missing the game at the Reebok Stadium having earlier picked up his fifth booking of the campaign.
Steve Harper (shoulder) and Leon Best (ankle) are closing in on returns, but Ryan Taylor (ankle ligaments), Dan Gosling (knee) and Hatem Ben Arfa remain on the sidelines.
John Terry will miss the trip to Tyneside, but the pain he has suffered from the nerve problem in his leg is subsiding and he should be fit to return next weekend.
Frank Lampard, who has suffered a recurring groin problem, has also begun to train with the squad but is not ready for selection.
Yuri Zhirkov is also at least a week away from fitness, while Michael Essien is suspended.
Newcastle (from): Krul, Soderberg, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, S. Taylor, Campbell, Kadar, Tiote, Smith, Routledge, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Tavernier, Donaldson, Nolan, Carroll, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Ranger, Xisco.
Chelsea (from): Cech, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Alex, Ivanovic, Cole, Ramires, Sturridge, Mikel, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba, Kalou. Turnbull, Van Aanholt, Bruma, Kakuta, McEachran.
