Guthrie returns for Newcastle

Midfielder Danny Guthrie has returned to the Newcastle squad ahead of Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash with QPR.

Guthrie has been sidelined by a groin injury since the beginning of December and will provide manager Alan Pardew with a fresh option in the wake of Cheick Tiote’s departure for the African Nations Cup.

However, striker Peter Lovenkrands (calf) is unlikely to make the game, and Sammy Ameobi (knee) has joined fellow midfielder Sylvain Marveaux (groin) and defender Steve Taylor (Achilles) on the list of long-term absentees.

Provisional squad: Krul, Elliot, Harper, Simpson, R. Taylor, Santon, Ferguson, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Kadar, Cabaye, Obertan, Ben Arfa, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Gosling, Abeid, Vuckic, Best, Shola Ameobi.