Terry McDermott says the time is right for the experienced players to return to action.
He says he is confidence the squad will bounce back from the 1-0 defeat at Championship side Doncaster Rovers at the weekend.
Toon Squad Set To Change!
By Nu Mad
Updated Thursday, 31st July 2008
McDermott: "You need big characters like Nicky Butt and Geremi.
"Geremi was fantastic at Doncaster and he didn't want to come off - we had to drag him off in the end!
"If you look behind the result at Doncaster there were some decent performances.
"Geremi only trained for five days last week, but he still wanted to play.
"That shows you the sort of characters we've got here.
"We've just been resting Nicky Butt because he had a tight hamstring. At this time of year you will get niggly little injuries.
"Nicky will be fine for the Majorca games - he could have played at Doncaster at a pinch, but we didn't want to risk him.
"He trained on Monday and he'll be fine - it's just about keeping players fit.
"In the next two weeks you will see a big difference in the squad.
"There are a lot of youngsters in at the moment, and it's great for them to get their chance.
"We trained very well before Doncaster and, despite the result, we took a lot of good things from the game."
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