Last Updated: Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:58
Darron Gibson is out of Everton's trip to Newcastle but Marouane Fellaini is back after suspension and Phil Neville could return.
Gibson will be missing for at least four weeks with a thigh strain suffered in the win over Wigan on Boxing Day but Blues boss David Moyes has better news with the return of the influential Fellaini.
The midfielder missed the defeat at Chelsea at the weekend as he completed his suspension but will be straight back in Moyes' side for the St James' Park trip as the Toffees look to bounce back.
Neville, meanwhile, is believed to close to full fitness and could be back in the squad too, but Seamus Coleman and Kevin Mirrallas both remain out injured.
Moyes hopes Everton can get more points on the board as they chase a top-four finish after insisting his side were unlucky to lose against Rafa Benitez's men on Saturday.
He said: "We won two and lost one and that's better than drawing three games. We've been drawing a lot lately, so that was better. And the one we lost we were a bit unfortunate. We have done okay with what we had."
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