Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier are both nearing fitness again, but Eddie Howe would not confirm that they will be involved on Monday night when Newcastle host West Ham.
Wilson is yet to play this season due to hamstring and back problems, while Trippier has made five Premier League appearances, but none since 5 October due to a hamstring injury of his own.
The Magpies have won their last there matches in all competitions, so Howe is in no rush to throw the pair back into the first team, but both are close to being involved again.
On Wilson, Howe told a press conference on Friday: ‘He’s doing well. We anticipate he’s going to train with the group today.
‘Whether he’s quite there for West Ham let’s see, there’s a chance he could be involved but we need to get through the next few days.
‘I think that the most important thing is that Callum does come back and when he does come back, he’s in a good place to contribute and to make a difference.
‘We know his importance but he’s obviously at a delicate stage of his return because you’ve got to manage the last parts correctly.
‘We need to learn from previous issues that we’ve had and try and keep.
Howe said of Trippier: ‘He’s slightly closer I’d say. He trained yesterday, trained well, felt good, had no ill effects and looked sharp.
‘But that was the first day training, so again, we’re in a similar position in the respect that we’re right at the end of the rehab where you’ve got to navigate the last few days.’
Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles remain on the long-term injured list, while Emil Krafth will also be out for some weeks with a shoulder problem.
‘Just Emil Krafth who has had an operation, we anticipate he’s going to be out for around 6 to 8 weeks,’ said Howe of other injury headaches. ‘So that’s a big blow for us to lose Emil – he’s been such a consistent performer.
‘So he will continue his rehab but apart from that we’re OK.’
Dan Burn will also sit out the meeting with West Ham through suspension.