The Welshman has been out since the home victory over Spurs with a hernia problem, but a combination of lack of match fitness and the form of Jermaine Jenas look set to keep him on the bench.
Tony Caig is included in the squad for the first time as Steve Harper is suspended and Aaron Hughes and Steve Caldwell return after flu.
Still out are Andy Griffin, Hugo Viana and Jamie McClen, while Jonathan Woodgate is still to recover from a thigh strain.
Full squad: Given; Hughes, Bernard, Bramble, Dabizas, O'Brien, Solano, Dyer, Jenas, Speed, Robert, Shearer, Bellamy, Caldwell, Lualua, Ameobi, Acuna, Kerr, Caig.