Steve Bruce is facing a big decision on who plays in goal in next week's League Cup quarter-final against Brentford.
The clash at the Brentford Community Stadium leaves Bruce with a difficult decision on whether to stick with in-form goalkeeper Karl Darlow or go with his cup rotation policy between the posts.
Bruce had intended to use Darlow as his League Cup keeper this season but Martin Dubravka's summer injury meant a reshuffle with the former Nottingham Forest stopper rested for Premier League games and Geordie boy Mark Gillespie handed his chance.
Gillespie has returned to the squad after missing last week's 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers and will be keen to add to his three appearances in the League Cup this season with two clean sheets to his name so far.
Goalkeeper coach Simon Smith tweeted on Friday that Dubravka is "nearly back to full goalkeeping fitness" but it remains to be seen whether Brentford comes too early for the ex-Sparta Prague star.
When asked about Dubravka's return, Bruce, speaking to BBC Newcastle said last week: "In the next couple of weeks, I will have an unbelievably difficult decision.
"Darlow has waited so patiently for his opportunity and he’s been absolutely outstanding."
