The Frenchman is around five to six weeks away from a return to action after damaging his left ankle - the leg in which he suffered a double fracture last season - during a pre-season friendly against Sporting Kansas City.

Mike Williamson (broken arm) and Danny Guthrie and Shane Ferguson (both ankle) are fit, but Pardew has revealed Ferguson will not start as a direct replacement for Liverpool-bound left-back Jose Enrique after only just returning to full training, while transfer-listed Joey Barton must assure the manager of his commitment if he is to be selected.

Team (from): Krul, Harper, Forster, Simpson, R. Taylor, Perch, Coloccini, S. Taylor, Williamson, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Barton, Marveaux, Gosling, Ba, Shola Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Best, Vuckic.