The Magpies need just a point at Plymouth tomorrow night to claim the Championship title, and that would represent a fitting end to what has been yet another eventful season on Tyneside.

A little less than 12 months ago, the club was plunged into turmoil by relegation from the Barclays Premier League and the exodus of big-name players which followed it.

But they will return to the top flight a leaner, hungrier outfit, and loan signing Hall believes that will stand them in good stead.

The 29-year-old said: "Sometimes you have to take a step down to take two steps forward, and I definitely feel Newcastle are on the up and they are rebuilding.

"The players they have here, the experienced players, are pulling the young boys through; the boys Chris [Hughton], the gaffer, has brought in are all young, hungry and they are up for a challenge."

Hall could return to the side at Home Park after recovering from a hamstring injury, with Fabricio Coloccini struggling to shake off a similar problem.

He has missed the last six games but has seen his team-mates power their way to victory in each of them to clinch promotion and take themselves to the brink of the title.

Argentina international Coloccini has been a fixture in the side as he has quietly gone about the business of rebuilding his reputation after a difficult first season in English football, and Hall is well placed to judge his contribution.

He said: "He's the best player I have played with. Before I came here, I didn't know too much about him, I had just seen him on telly.

"But I have been impressed. When you watch Match of the Day and see the highlights, you don't get the full view of what a player is.

"But training with him, he is by far the best centre-half I have ever played with."

Plymouth midfielder Luke Summerfield is fit again following a hamstring injury and could earn an instant recall to Paul Mariner's side.

Skipper Carl Fletcher has been ruled out since Argyle's defeat by Blackpool at the end of last month with a knee injury and although he has recovered from that, he has since been nursing a calf injury.

The midfielder is hoping to be fit though and may make the squad, along with defender Kari Arnason, who has been ruled out for six games by a hip injury but is now back to full fitness.

Winger Craig Noone (knee) is set to miss out in a match that will see Plymouth relegated to League One should they fail to record three points.

Head coach Mariner is in the process of formulating contract offers to a number of players as he builds for a likely League One future.

Mariner is awaiting a response from winger Yannick Bolasie, while offers to midfielder Karl Duguid and keeper Romain Larrieu are close to being finalised.

Mariner told the Western Morning News: "Bolasie has something on the table. We're waiting on contact from [executive director] Keith Todd regarding two other players, Duguid and Larrieu."

David McNamee, Yoann Folly and Lloyd Saxton are also out of contract at the end of the season, while Gary Sawyer, Alan Gow and Steve MacLean - all out on loan, at Bristol City, Hibernian and Aberdeen respectively - have stated that they are not keen to return to Home Park.

Mariner continued: "It's simple, if they're taking that viewpoint. If people don't want to play for this club, then why would we want to employ them?

"I have a very good relationship with Alan, and Steve and I know exactly where we stand with each other, but it would be best if I make calls to them and find out what's going on. They're under contract to this football club."