Newcastle will welcome Steven Taylor back into their squad for Saturday's Premier League clash with Portsmouth at Fratton Park.The England Under-21 skipper was withdrawn due to an illness after a fitness test before last week's 3-0 win over Reading, his place in the starting line-up taken by David Edgar.

Stephen Carr (hamstring), James Milner (foot), Claudio Cacapa (groin) and Peter Ramage (knee) are all closing in on returns, while Shay Given is still fighting his way back from groin surgery.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 5.15pm.

Magpies (from): Harper, Forster, Beye, Enrique, Taylor, Faye, Edgar, Butt, N'Zogbia, Duff, Barton, Geremi, Owen, Smith, Martins, Viduka, Carroll.

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