Steve Bruce remains optimistic that Allan Saint-Maximin and Jonjo Shelvey can play a part in Newcastle United's opening Premier League fixture of the season against West Ham United.
Although, the Magpies duo may have a race against time to prove their fitness with just one friendly game against Norwich City to come.
The Canaries will visit St James' Park on Saturday (2pm) with Bruce hoping Saint-Maximin will be fit for selection and that he will be able to give more pre-season minutes to Shelvey after his half-hour cameo at Burnley this week.
Bruce said: "It'll be decent for Jonjo, he's had a real tough time with it, with getting injured before we've even started.
"It was cruel for him so he's got to try to make it up somewhere.
"He is on the road to recovery."
Miguel Almiron is also set to play a part in the clash against Norwich while Bruce will check on the likes of Callum Wilson and the French winger.
Although, it looks like defender Paul Dummett's chances of facing the Hammers are over after he picked up a calf injury.
Bruce told NUFC TV: "Almiron will now start with the group which is good, he's back.
"Then of course we have the illness to Saint-Maximin which we hope by the weekend he will be OK.
"Callum Wilson we hope will be OK.
"So yes we have a few missing."
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