Andy Carroll has trained ahead of this weekend's clash with West Ham United.
The Geordie striker was pulled out of the Toon squad last week after suffering a groin strain after the 1-0 loss at Chelsea .
But he is back in contention with his withdrawal only ever classed as a precautionary move by Steve Bruce.
Carroll was pictured training with his team-mates in the build-up to the clash at his old club and has handed Bruce another poser with Dwight Gayle also pushing for a start.
The big plus last week was that Carroll's ankle had not sustained any fresh damage.
Bruce said then: "With Andy, it's not his ankle, thankfully.
"Everyone can pick up those type of niggles, especially when you sit on the bench for a while.
"He has stretched for a ball and over-stretched.
"There is no-one more disappointed that Andy.
"He was getting himself in a position, where the more he trained, getting on against Man United and Chelsea, he was maneuvering into a position where he could start.
"So it's disappointing, but we have to carry on."
