Striker Toni Martinez could make his debut for Oxford United in their FA Cup fourth-round clash at home to Newcastle on Saturday.
Martinez joined the club on loan from West Ham on Monday and is eligible to play in the competition.
But boss Michael Appleton may well decide to stick with the team that beat Rochdale 4-0 in League One last weekend.
Defenders Christian Ribeiro and Sam Long are back in training after lengthy injury absences and are set for a run-out in Monday's friendly against Vancouver Whitecaps.
Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez will use the depth of his squad once again as he attempts to manage the dual demands of the FA Cup and the quest for promotion back to the Premier League.
Benitez made eight changes for the third-round replay victory over Birmingham, handing debuts to youngsters Stuart Findlay, Dan Barlaser and Yasin Ben El-Mhanni, and is likely to shuffle his pack again. Goalkeeper Rob Elliot is in contention after recovering from a knee injury and central defender Grant Hanley is in line for another start.
Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic could return after having stitches removed from the knee injury he suffered at Birmingham on January 7, while midfielder Jack Colback is hoping to be available after missing last weekend's 4-0 win over Rotherham through illness. Defender Jesus Gamez (collarbone) is making good progress.
The game will come too early for Dwight Gayle (hamstring), while full-back Vurnon Anita (ankle) and midfielder Rolando Aarons (knee) are still out. Chancel Mbemba, Christian Atsu and Mohamed Diame remain on African Nations Cup duty.
Martinez joined the club on loan from West Ham on Monday and is eligible to play in the competition.
But boss Michael Appleton may well decide to stick with the team that beat Rochdale 4-0 in League One last weekend.
Defenders Christian Ribeiro and Sam Long are back in training after lengthy injury absences and are set for a run-out in Monday's friendly against Vancouver Whitecaps.
Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez will use the depth of his squad once again as he attempts to manage the dual demands of the FA Cup and the quest for promotion back to the Premier League.
Benitez made eight changes for the third-round replay victory over Birmingham, handing debuts to youngsters Stuart Findlay, Dan Barlaser and Yasin Ben El-Mhanni, and is likely to shuffle his pack again. Goalkeeper Rob Elliot is in contention after recovering from a knee injury and central defender Grant Hanley is in line for another start.
Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic could return after having stitches removed from the knee injury he suffered at Birmingham on January 7, while midfielder Jack Colback is hoping to be available after missing last weekend's 4-0 win over Rotherham through illness. Defender Jesus Gamez (collarbone) is making good progress.
The game will come too early for Dwight Gayle (hamstring), while full-back Vurnon Anita (ankle) and midfielder Rolando Aarons (knee) are still out. Chancel Mbemba, Christian Atsu and Mohamed Diame remain on African Nations Cup duty.
Head to Head
Oxford United and Newcastle United last met in the 1992/93 season when both were playing in the second tier of English Football. Both teams won their home League game against the other that season, although this is the first time Newcastle United have visited The Kassam Stadium.
Oxford United are unbeaten in 4 home games against Newcastle United and have won 3 of those games.
Prediction
It is not a surprise that Newcastle United are odds on favourites to win this Fourth Round tie at Oxford United when you consider these clubs were playing in the Premier League and League Two Divisions just last season. Even now Newcastle United look set to return to the Premier League and that quality will make it tough for Oxford United to stick with them.
However Oxford United have played well at home this season and they will have been given a boost in confidence by the 4-1 win over Scunthorpe United who are amongst the leading contenders for promotion from League One. They can score goals and will give Newcastle United some problems, although the latter will point to Brighton winning 2-4 here in the League Cup already.
There have been some defensive problems for Newcastle United in recent games which will give Oxford United a chance to spring an upset, but The Magpies score plenty too and this could be a high-scoring Fourth Round tie.
The over 2.5 goals option is a bigger price than the away win and I do think a 2-1 scoreline either way has every chance of hitting so I will look for goals from this one.
