Steve Bruce did not play down talk of Matty Longstaff being handed his Premier League debut when Manchester United come to St James' Park.
But the Newcastle United head coach now has Jonjo Shelvey back as an option after an early than expected return from a hamstring injury.
It means that the 19-year-old is in the mix with Ki and Shelvey to potentially partner his big brother Sean in the engine room.
Bruce said today: "He’s been in with a chance since I walked through the door. He comes into the equation with the problems we’ve got."
Bruce also has Dwight Gayle back in contention but the clash with Man United comes too early for winger Matt Ritchie.
Ritchie is still out with an ankle issue suffered against Leicester in the League Cup.
Bruce said: “We’ve got practically everybody okay apart from Matt Ritchie.
"Jonjo is fit, and the more options we’ve got with people getting fit, the better. It’s good."
