Ameobi to bolster Toon attacking options

Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi could return to the squad for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Everton.

The 29-year-old has been sidelined since February 2 with a fractured cheekbone, but has trained this week wearing a protective mask and is likely to be included.

Danny Guthrie has shaken off a hamstring problem, but Joey Barton is rated at 50-50 to return after missing last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Bolton with a thigh strain.

Loan signing Stephen Ireland could be denied a debut for the club because of a similar problem picked up in training after his recovery from the knee injury with which he arrived on Tyneside at the end of January.

Ryan Taylor is suspended as a result of his red card against Bolton, while Dan Gosling (knee), Alan Smith (ankle) and Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg) remain on the casualty list.

Provisional squad: Harper, Krul, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Campbell, S. Taylor, Tiote, Barton, Nolan, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Ireland, Vuckic, Richardson, Lovenkrands, Best, Ameobi, Ranger, Kuqi.