He's recovered from Covid and has been able to attend training, but with compulsory changes needed to the starting eleven, which players have impressed Eddie Howe enough to step in?
Eddie Howe must make changes against Norwich City tonight because Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Ritchie are suspended for one match, having picked up yellow cards in the 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday.
A few months ago, the obvious player to bring in at centre-back would have been Federico Fernandez, but he hasn't even been making the bench, so it might be that Ciaran Clark is further up the pecking order now.
Another player Newcastle United fans are keen to see given another run in the team is Jamal Lewis, a fully fledged Northern Ireland international signed from Norwich. He seems like a logical choice for playing on the left side of defence tonight, but does Howe have other ideas?
The centre of midfield is another puzzler for Howe. He has favoured Jonjo Shelvey, who everyone knows is a creative player and has done well, but has he done enough defensively to convince his new boss?
Other options in the middle are Sean Longstaff, who's looked out of sorts, and Isaac Hayden, who has looked increasingly impressive. Then there's new signing Joe Willock, who again hasn't done great this season, but showed last season what he is capable of - fans are patiently waiting for a return to form.
Miguel Almiron, the man who never stops running, has drifted towards the bench recently, but might he be brought back in? Then there are undroppable players: Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin.... and Joelinton?
Whatever the line-up, whether it is a 4-3-3, 3-5-2, or a 4-4-2, the message from fans to the team on Eddie Howe's first match at St James' Park will be a simple one: please win.
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