Dyer and Woodgate on comeback trail

Newcastle stars Kieron Dyer and Jonathan Woodgate will both get a chance to stake their claims for first-team returns tonight.

Both men have been named in a 16-man squad for the reserve team clash with West Brom, which has been moved to St James’ Park, and successful run-outs could see them get the nod to face Manchester City in the Premiership on Saturday.

Dyer has not played since the 1-0 win at Middlesbrough on October 18 in which he damaged a hamstring and has missed the club’s last six games, a run which has seen them slip out of the Carling Cup at the hands of first division West Brom and lose their last league game 5-0 at Chelsea.

Woodgate has been out of the first-team picture for even longer after undergoing surgery to repair a double hernia on September 27, an absence which now extends to 11 games.

However, he played 79 minutes of last week’s reserve team clash with Boro and came through unscathed, and a further opportunity to regain match fitness will surely stand him in good stead to face Kevin Keegan’s men.

Robson has repeatedly pointed to the high general level of fitness of both men when they return from injury and is confident that they will be ready if called upon at the weekend, provided that nothing untoward happens this evening.

Woodgate’s return will be particularly welcome with Andy O’Brien facing a one-match ban after the Manchester City game following the failure of his appeal against the red card he was shown by referee Paul Durkin at Stamford Bridge.

However, the improving form of Titus Bramble, who has started to fulfil the promise in recent weeks which persuaded Robson to part with £4.5m (€6.43m), means that he faces a big decision, although the £9m (€12.87m) England international has looked his side’s most accomplished defender when fit and seems a certain starter.

United have options in midfield too, where Lee Bowyer is starting to make an impact, and Dyer will have to displace one of the men in possession – Laurent Robert, Gary Speed and Jermaine Jenas have been the mainstays in recent weeks - to regain his place.

The Magpies will need their squad in the weeks ahead with the second leg of the UEFA Cup second round tie against Swiss side FC Basle scheduled for next Thursday less than 48 hours before they head for Wolves in the league.

Some of the fringe players who could get a chance as the fixtures come thick and fast are also included tonight, with Darren Ambrose, Carl Cort and Lomana LuaLua, who last week earned a ticking off from his manager for complaining about his lack of opportunities, among the 16.