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Mehdi's Ready For Black Cats Trip
Written by Newcastle Utd
Mehdi Abeid will return to the Newcastle United squad for Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby at local rivals Sunderland
By Emily Bulmer
Mehdi Abeid will return to the Newcastle United squad for Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby at local rivals Sunderland (4pm kick-off).
The Algerian midfielder has missed the Magpies' last two games with a thigh injury but is fit again and in contention for a starting spot at the Stadium of Light.
United will once again have to cope without fielding a full-strength team this weekend, with a lengthy injury list added to by the loss of suspended duo Fabricio Coloccini and Papiss Cisse.
Left-back Massaido Haidara has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee complaint but head coach John Carver believes his team is still strong enough to get the job done against the Black Cats.
"Unfortunately Massadio Haidara had a cyst taken off his knee last week and won't be available for the rest of the season, but we have options," he explained.
"We've had a good week in training with Mehdi Abeid though and he will be in the squad this weekend.
"The toughest thing in preparation has been the international break with Daryl Janmaat, Tim Krul and Moussa Sissoko all away on international duty.
"Tuesday was a tough night for me because I was praying they wouldn't get hurt but thankfully all three came back in one piece ready for the weekend."
With Coloccini unavailable, French powerhouse Moussa Sissoko will once again lead out United.
"It would be nice for Moussa, as the captain, to impose his presence on Sunday - because he certainly does have a great presence," continued Carver.
"There's one or two lads who haven't had the best time in previous derby games and it would be nice for them to make an impact.
"If they do impose themselves like I know they can then we have a good chance of winning."
Carver also hinted at a possible role for teenage forward Adam Armstrong, who impressed for England Under-18s with a two-goal haul earlier this week.
"Adam scored a spectacular goal for England, two in fact, and he's definitely pushing for the first team," said Carver.
"The thing with young players is that they will always have spells when they are developing where they have a purple patch and then they fall off the mark a little bit.
"You have to be able to cope with the heat of the derby because sometimes it can make you or break you.
"I'll make sure the environment is right before I push Adam into anything. If I feel it is right on Sunday then he might get his chance."