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United's Injury Woes Easing
Written by Newcastle Utd
Yohan Cabaye is one of four senior Newcastle players who will be back in contention at Norwich on Saturday
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Fit-again Yohan Cabaye will travel to Norwich on Saturday, but Alan Pardew has hinted that the midfielder may not start at Carrow Road.
Sidelined since November following groin surgery, Cabaye returned to full training this week and is straight back into the first-team squad as the Magpies head to East Anglia in the Premier League.
Newcastle boss Pardew believes spirits around the Training Centre have been boosted by the French international's return, but explained that he wants to ease the playmaker back in gently.
"The good news is we are taking Cabaye on the bus, which is like signing a new player," said the manager.
"I don't think he's really ready to start, if I'm honest. I think his role will be off the bench if the situation evolves where we need him.
"Yohan is a great player and has lifted everybody this week, just in terms of picking passes out in training.
"It's just nice to have some senior players out there working hard, and just his inclusion is going to give everyone a huge lift."
As well as Cabaye, United will be strengthened by the return of captain Fabricio Coloccini and striker Papiss Cisse, who both missed last weekend's FA Cup trip to Brighton with knocks.
And although Shola Ameobi will serve a one-game suspension, Argentine international Jonas Gutierrez is back in contention following a recent knee injury.
"Papiss and Colo are both fit as well, so they will be in and around the team and we certainly look a lot stronger than the unfortunate situation we were in last week," he said.
"Steven Taylor will be ready for Reading, Cabaye will certainly be ready for Reading, Jonas is fit and he will be available for Norwich, so we are getting some senior bodies back at a crucial time."