Butt hoping for Brum return

Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt has a chance of making tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round trip to Birmingham after his ankle injury responded to treatment.

Butt, who missed the Barclays Premiership clash with former club Manchester United on Monday, is the most likely member of Glenn Roeder’s walking wounded to return at St Andrews, where he spent last season on loan.

Emre is struggling with a groin injury, while Scott Parker is suspended. Damien Duff, Michael Owen and Charles N’Zogbia (all knee), Shola Ameobi and Olivier Bernard (both hip), Celestine Babayaro and Craig Moore (both hamstring), Titus Bramble (calf) and Stephen Carr (foot) remain on the sidelines.

Provisional squad: Given, Srnicek, Solano, Edgar, Taylor, Ramage, Huntington, Butt, Emre, Milner, Pattison, Troisi, Gate, Martins, Dyer, Sibierski, Luque, Rossi, Carroll.