Boro Could Be Without Alves For Sunday ... And ALL Season!
The 27-year-old was sold by Heerenveen to Boro for an undisclosed fee on transfer deadline day but AZ chairman Dirk Scheringa will ask FIFA to investigate.
Gareth Southgate has concerns over the fitness of Jeremie Aliadiere (groin), and Emanuel Pogatetz (ankle). Turkey striker Tuncay Sanli (hamstring) is definitely out, which means Mido could start for the first time this year.
Newcastle midfielder Emre returns to the squad after completing his three-match ban.
Striker Mark Viduka could return from the calf injury which has prevented him from playing under new boss Kevin Keegan to date, but full-back Jose Enrique remains a doubt with a similar injury.
Joey Barton could figure at St James' Park for the first time since December 23, but David Rozehnal has left the club to join Lazio on loan with Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye on their way back to Tyneside, although not in time for the Boro game.
NEWCASTLE (from): Given, Harper, Carr, N'Zogbia, Enrique, Cacapa, Taylor, Edgar, Butt, Smith, Milner, Duff, Emre, Barton, LuaLua, Owen, Viduka, Ameobi, Carroll.
MIDDLESBROUGH (from): Schwarzer, Young, Pogatetz, Huth, Wheater, Arca, Rochemback, Boateng, O'Neil, Downing, Aliadiere,
Alves, Mido, Jones, Grounds, Riggott, Johnson, Dong-Gook.