Dukes has made excellent progress after lengthy achilles problems and he is expected to feature on the bench against his former club.

Manager Joe Kinnear told the Chronicle: "Viduka is flying and there is no reason why he should not be with us at Middlesbrough and he will be involved at some stage."

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear has been dealt a double blow though with the news Damien Duff and Shola Ameobi will miss the derby.

Midfielder Duff suffered a groin injury and striker Ameobi an ankle problem in training yesterday, and both will miss out as Kinnear celebrates his appointment as manager until the end of the season.

defender Steven Taylor has a chance of being included in the squad following his recovery from an abdominal muscle tear.

Spanish striker Xisco (hamstring) is also fit, but Alan Smith (foot) and Ignacio Gonzalez (Achilles) are still out.

Provisional squad: Given, Harper, Beye, Enrique, N,Zogbia, Bassong, Coloccini, Taylor, Cacapa, Edgar, Butt, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Geremi, Owen, Martins, Viduka, Carroll, Xisco.