Newcastle can climb to the top of the Championship table with victory over Leicester on Monday.
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Newcastle can climb to the top of the Championship table with victory over Leicester on Monday.
The Magpies saw Cardiff, West Brom and Middlesbrough all fail to take maximum points over the weekend and know a fourth success of the season will be enough to take them to the summit.
The Foxes remain unbeaten this term, though, and could move back into the play-off places with a positive result on Tyneside.
Newcastle team news
Newcastle midfield duo Joey Barton and Nicky Butt are expected to be passed fit for duty.
Barton sustained a foot injury in the latter stages of the 3-0 home win over Reading on 15th August and has subsequently missed the last three games.
He was not risked for the midweek Carling Cup victory over Huddersfield but is now in line for a return.
Meanwhile, Butt was forced off at half-time against the Terriers with a foot problem but was expected to train over the weekend and come into contention to face the Foxes.
However, Newcastle face a striker shortage with Andy Carroll and Xisco ruled out with groin injuries and leading scorer Shola Ameobi doubtful with a foot problem.
Leicester team news
Leicester hope to include new loan signing Ryan McGivern in their squad for the trip to St James' Park.
The 19-year-old left-back has joined Nigel Pearson's side on loan from Manchester City until January.
Striker Steve Howard should recover from a hamstring injury to face the club he supported as a boy.
Howard, a United season ticket holder before his football career took off, sustained the problem against Sheffield United 12 days ago but has since resumed training.
Foxes boss Pearson, who spent 16 months at Newcastle and had two spells as their caretaker manager, has presided over a promising start to the campaign for last season's League One champions.
