In-form Bolton striker Daniel Sturridge is expected to start after missing the last two games because he was cup-tied.
Jussi Jaaskelainen will return in goal ahead of Adam Bogdan, while defender Gretar Steinsson hopes to be available after a knee injury.
Newcastle
Doubtful: Lovenkrands (thigh)
Injured/unavailable: Ameobi (fractured cheekbone), Ben Arfa (broken leg), Gosling & Ireland (both knee), Guthrie (hamstring), Smith (ankle)
Bolton
Doubtful: Steinsson (knee)
Injured: S Davis, Knight & J O'Brien (all knee), Gardner (thigh), Ricketts (Achilles), Samuel (calf/fitness)
MATCH PREVIEW
This is a pivotal match for Newcastle, according to manager Alan Pardew: only maximum points against Bolton will keep the Magpies' season alive.
If we win this we can attack the top 10 - if we don't win this game then we've lost a big opportunity, and the opportunity might be Europe
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew
United go into the match ninth in the table, delicately poised between the European spots and mid-table. With just 11 games to go and their Premier League status all but assured, Pardew is desperate to prevent an otherwise successful return to the top flight from fizzling out.
Motivating his players will not be a problem. The Magpies' heaviest defeat of the season came at the hands of Saturday's opponents, when Johan Elmander and Kevin Davies each scored twice in a 5-1 romp at the Reebok, a result that proved the beginning of the end for previous boss Chris Hughton.
European football is also the objective for Bolton, a reflection of the huge strides made under Owen Coyle during his 13-month tenure.
Wanderers booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with two tough victories over Wigan and Fulham in the space of a week, but are likely to view the league as their most likely route to Europa League qualification. A victory here would equal their points total for the whole of last season, and with Liverpool not in action until Sunday, the Trotters could finish the day in sixth.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Bolton have won just one of their 10 Premier League games at St James' Park.
Newcastle
• They have scored the most goals outside of the top five (42).
• According to Opta Stats, Newcastle are the most fouled side in the Premier League this season, suffering 365 fouls. And Bolton have conceded the most (372).
• Kevin Nolan, facing his former club, needs to score once more to reach 50 goals in his top-flight career.
Bolton
• Bolton have won just one of their last 12 Premier League away games and lost the last six in a row.
• Owen Coyle's side have scored fewer top-flight goals in 2011 than any other side (6).
• If fit, Gretar Steinsson could make his 100th start for Wanderers.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Newcastle
Nolan 10 goals (10 league); Ameobi: 7 goals (4 league)
NB. Carroll scored 11 goals (11 league) for Newcastle
Bolton
Elmander: 10 goals (9 league); K Davies: 8 goals (7 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Chris Foy
Assistant referees: Darren Cann & Billy Smallwood
Fourth official: Jon Moss
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Newcastle (W2-0 v Birmingham, a): Harper; Williamson, Enrique, Simpson, Coloccini, Barton, Gutierrez (Campbell, 87), Tiote, Nolan, Best (Guthrie, 76), Lovenkrands (Ranger, 65). Subs not used: Perch, Kuqi, Krul, Ferguson.
Bolton (W2-0 v Everton, h): Jaaskelainen; Ricketts, Cahill, Knight (Wheater 27), Robinson, Elmander, Mark Davies, Holden, Taylor (Lee 59), Kevin Davies, Sturridge (Muamba 90). Subs not used: Bogdan, Petrov, Klasnic, Moreno.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport