Centre-half Zak Whitbread is in contention to return to Norwich's starting XI having recovered from a hamstring problem. On-loan Manchester United defender Ritchie de Laet (back) remains out. Striker James Vaughan is on course for a return in the new year from his knee problem, along with centre-back Elliott Ward (knee). Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has defensive problems ahead of the trip. Steven Taylor (Achilles) and Mike Williamson (broken arm and ankle) are definitely out while Fabricio Coloccini (thigh) is very doubtful, meaning 21-year-old Hungarian Tamas Kadar could make his first appearance of the season alongside James Perch in a new-look central defence. Midfielders Danny Guthrie (groin) and Cheik Tiote (knee) are also sidelined but winger Jonas Gutierrez is available again after suspension. Norwich (from): Ruddy, Tierney, Whitbread, Martin, Naughton, Crofts, Johnson, Pilkington Bennett, Hoolahan, Morison, Rudd, Barnett, Fox, Holt, Surman, Wilbraham, Jackson, Ayala. Newcastle (from): Krul, Elliot, Simpson, R. Taylor, Santon, Ferguson, Perch, Cabaye, Gosling, Obertan, Ben Arfa, Sammy Ameobi, Abeid, Vuckic, Smith, Ba, Best, Shola Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Kadar, Gutierrez.
