Newcastle United on the mend

Newcastle Boss Pardew Names His Squad As Team Flies Out For Benfica Clash - Sky Tyne and Wear

Goalkeeper Tim Krul is back in the 19-man squad after missing the last seven games with an ankle injury.

And defender Mike Williamson, who last featured for Newcastle in January, is also on the plane.

Newcastle United: Trio in fitness race - ClubCall.com

"Cheik could be OK for Thursday, and Santon was perhaps a day's training away from being involved," Pardew revealed. "Sadio's close. Tim's close. I need them all back for Thursday. We know the next two are really important games for us. "I think all those players I mentioned have got a great chance for Fulham, of course. Whether they make Thursday, we'll have to wait and see." Sylvain Marveaux has been nursing a groin strain and was left on the bench against Manchester City but he should be fit and available for both games should Pardew call on him.

Newcastle’s Mathieu Debuchy could make derby return - Newcastle United - Shields Gazette

MATHIEU Debuchy’s been penciled in for a comeback in the Tyne-Wear derby.

The defender missed Newcastle United’s 4-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday with a hamstring injury.

And Debuchy – who is ineligible for the Europa League – won’t be back for Sunday’s home game against Fulham.

So Newcastle United could be back to full-strength, save for Mathieu Debuchy and Fabricio Colocinni. However, even those two defenders - and whisper it, Ryan Taylor - are on the mend.

The Magpies have a fairly straight-forward set of remaining League fixtures - Fulham, Sunderland, @West Brom, Liverpool, @West Ham, @QPR, Arsenal - though they do have Europa League ties against Benfice, and don't have a double-game week next week.

But there is now value in the team, and for a short-term look Tim Krul could be worth investment against Fulham this weekend. Especially for those managers looking to shift Hugo Lloris.