He has an injury list as long as the Tyne, and is sweating on Frenchman Antoine Sibierski, who himself believes he can shake off the hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday's win at Ewood Park.
But while the admirable midfielder/striker wants to start against the current Premiership champions, time is running out and he has got to be doubtful.
I don't quite know how Newcastle fans will take this (after the booing when we played Reading last week) but Celestine Babayaro will line up against his old club.
Roeder: "The three players who came off at Blackburn on Saturday - Emre, Nobby Solano and Antoine Sibierski - are all very doubtful for the Chelsea match. But the good news as far as Emre is concerned is that the scan has shown that his ankle is not broken as was feared on Saturday."
Although Scott Parker and Kieron Dyer could be back for the game with Watford at St James' Park on Saturday, the Chelsea match has come too early for both.
Damien Duff has returned to training after his cartilage operation and wants to play in the Carling Cup tie with his former club Chelsea at St James' Park a week on Wednesday. But that is looking most unlikely at the moment.
Shay Given, Steven Taylor, Peter Ramage, Nicky Butt, Charles N'Zogbia, James Milner, Oba Martins, Albert Luque and Seppe Rossi are all fit.