Duo set for Bolton debuts

Gretar Steinsson and Matt Taylor could make their Bolton debuts at St James’ Park after signing for the Trotters.

Steinsson, a right-sided defender, arrived in a £3.5m deal from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and Taylor finally completed his protracted move from Portsmouth.

Gavin McCann is doubtful after sustaining a minor injury in last week’s 2-1 home defeat by Blackburn, while Gerald Cid has returned to France with Nice and El-Hadji Diouf and Abdoulaye Meite are away on African Nations Cup duty.

Team (from): Jaaskelainen, Hunt, J O’Brien, A O’Brien, Gardner, Michalik, Steinsson, Taylor, Campo, Cohen, Guthrie, Nolan, Davies, Giannakopoulos, McCann, Samuel, Wilhelmsson, Braaten, Alonso, Al Habsi.