Toon New Boys Could Feature At Derby

Last Updated : 15-Sep-2007 by

Mark Viduka is also ready to hand Sam Allardyce a major boost head of Monday night's game against Derby County.

Any manager can expect the worst when players return from international duty, and Viduka was injured even before his team-mates headed off to play in the Euro 2008 qualifiers.

He limped off at half time in Newcastle United's 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic a week last Saturday with a hamstring problem.

But the striker has recovered and is expected to retain his place alongside Michael Owen in Sam Allardyce's starting XI.

Allardyce: "Both Abou and Habib have trained with us this week.

"They - along with the likes of Butty, Shola and Harps - have been in with us, and now it's just a case of waiting for the rest of the senior players to return from international duty over the next day or so before we can start getting ready for Derby as a squad.

"Joey Barton, Stephen Carr and Celestine Babayaro are still receiving long term rehab at the moment".