Jonjo Shelvey to return to league action for Newcastle
Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey could play his first Sky Bet Championship game in more than a month against Rotherham after returning from his five-game ban.
Shelvey got 90 minutes under his belt in Wednesday night's 3-1 FA Cup third round replay victory over Birmingham following his enforced lay-off, and is in line to return to league action on Saturday for the first time since December 17.
Fellow midfielder Isaac Hayden, who suffered a groin injury in the leaders' 2-1 win at Brentford last Saturday, was used as a substitute in midweek as manager Rafael Benitez made eight changes. He could resume along with Karl Darlow, Ciaran Clark, Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett, Jack Colback and Ayoze Perez, with Daryl Murphy in line to replace injured striker Dwight Gayle.
Gayle (hamstring), Vurnon Anita (ankle), Jesus Gamez (collarbone), Aleksandar Mitrovic, Massadio Haidara and Rolando Aarons (all knee) remain on the sidelines, while Chancel Mbemba, Christian Atsu and Mohamed Diame are on African Nations Cup duty.
Rotherham have injury problems for their first league trip to St James' Park since 1983.
Danny Ward, Kirk Broadfoot (both) back and Dexter Blackstock (hamstring) are all likely to miss out for the bottom club.
Lee Frecklington has undergone surgery on an ankle problem and a knee injury is keeping Lee Camp out for the season.
But the Millers could hand a debut to new signing Richard O'Donnell following his move from Bristol City.
Source: PAR
