Newcastle striker Mark Viduka should be fit for the visit of Reading despite suffering a tight hamstring last week.
James Milner (foot) and Stephen Carr (hamstring) are close to a return but Emre, Shay Given, Claudio Cacapa and Peter Ramage are definitely missing.
Reading are without Marek Matejovsky as the midfielder serves a ban following his sending off against Blackburn.
Winger Glen Little is in the squad for the first time in almost a year as he returns from an Achilles injury.
Speaking ahead of the game the manager's had the following to say.
Kevin Keegan
"I said I had a small squad, but it was quality, and that is still the case.
"That's why I didn't buy anybody in the transfer window. I didn't accumulate players like some clubs did.
"These players have started to show me, and themselves, that there is a lot of ability at this football club. We have just got to get it out of ourselves."
Steve Coppell on Kevin Keegan:
"When you first manage a club, you are making a reputation for yourself and he certainly did that.
"They were near the bottom of the old Second Division when he got there and he had to build the club up.
"This time, he is King Kev so has got the chance to enhance that reputation rather than harm it."