Newcastle United will contest a Premier League game without Callum Wilson for the first time this season.
The 30-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in the Magpies' 2-0 defeat at Southampton last time out and has not been risked for the visit of Chelsea on Saturday.
Wilson has made an impressive impact since his £20m move from Bournemouth last summer and the striker has been directly involved in seven of Newcastle's 10 league goals this season.
However, with nine games to come in the space of just 36 days, between November 27 and January 2, Steve Bruce is clearly taking no chances and Joelinton has been handed his first league start as a lone striker this season.
"Callum has got a chance," Bruce had told reporters on the eve of the game. "Obviously, we're going to make sure that if there's any risk whatsoever then he won't play but he has trained the last two days and was very comfortable yesterday so we'll see how he is today.
"The boy wants to play but we'll just make sure. As I said, if there's any risk, a bit like with Ryan and Jonjo, we'll have to make sure that they're 100% right because the big problem for us all is the injuries.
"Thankfully we're getting a few back. It's been a big concern for all us managers."
Matt Ritchie has also returned to training after recovering from a shoulder injury but, like Wilson, was also left out of the match day squad against Chelsea. Jonjo Shelvey made the bench after recovering from a groin issue.
