Yoan Gouffran is also ineligible having already represented Bordeaux, but he picked up an injury against Tottenham on Saturday and would have sat the tie out regardless.
Hatem Ben Arfa (knee) continues to work his way back to full fitness, but fellow midfielder Sammy Ameobi is out with a hamstring problem.
Metalist are in the middle of a winter break in the Ukrainian League and have no real injury concerns to contend with.
They were held to a 1-1 draw by Whitley Bay in a friendly on Sunday night and will hope that encounter has blown away any cobwebs.
It is possible that Metalist will have up to 10 South Americans in their starting XI at St James' Park, with Brazilian forward Cleiton Xavier their top marksman.
