Bowyer's back in business

Lee Bowyer has been included in the Newcastle squad for tomorrow’s Barclaycard Premiership clash with Aston Villa after recovering from a bout of flu.

However, Kieron Dyer misses out once again with his hamstring problem and Hugo Viana (foot) and Andy Griffin (hamstring) are also injured.

Griffin’s absence and that of Jonathan Woodgate, who is two weeks away from a return, mean forgotten man Nikos Dabizas is recalled to the squad, as is young striker Michael Chopra as Craig Bellamy begins his rehabilitation after knee surgery.

Provisional squad: Given, Harper, Hughes, Bernard, Bramble, O’Brien, S Caldwell, Dabizas, Speed, Robert, Bowyer, Solano, Jenas, Ambrose, Shearer, Ameobi, LuaLua, Chopra.