Tottenham travel to St. James' Park for their first game following the international break.
Nonetheless, the break from Premiership action hasn't stopped the injuries from causing Harry Redknapp a selection problem.
Emmanuel Adebayor (hamstring), Sandro (calf) and Aaron Lennon (groin) are all rated at 50/50 to take to the field against Alan Pardew's side.
Worse news for Croatian duo Vedran Corluka (foot) and Niko Kranjcar (though) after both picked up their respective problems on international duty in mid-week.
The two will be join Michael Dawson (achilles), William Gallas (calf) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) on the sidelines.
Better news for Redknapp, however, as both Steven Pienaar and Danny Rose have returned to first-team training.
Potential starting XI:
Friedel; Walker, King, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Modric, Livermore, Parker, Bale; Van der Vaart, Defoe