Central defender David Wheater has emerged from the ranks in the face on an injury crisis at the start of the season with first-choice pairing Jonathan Woodgate and Emanuel Pogatetz both on the casualty list.

The 20-year-old Redcar-born stopper has been a revelation during the opening weeks of the campaign and is likely to be asked to try to keep Newcastle at bay tomorrow with Woodgate back in training after knee surgery, but still short of match fitness.

That could mean the challenge of marking former club-mate Viduka as the Australian returns to the club for the first time since rejecting the offer of a new contract this summer.

Wheater said with a smile: "I trained with him every week, so I know how to handle him."

Neither Wheater nor manager Gareth Southgate, however, will be under any illusion as to the threat posed by last season's 19-goal top scorer, or his fellow Magpies frontmen Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Shola Ameobi.

But the form Wheater has shown in difficult circumstances has come as a huge bonus to his manager, who has seen departures and injuries radically alter the shape of his squad.

Southgate said: "When we talk about setbacks at clubs, we always focus on the negative of it.

"We lost a couple of centre-halves going into the season - the up side of that is we have seen that David Wheater can perform at this level.

"But for getting those opportunities with us, he would not have been an Under-21 international this week.

"It is fantastic for him and fantastic for the club that he and Adam Johnson have become two more Under-21 internationals. That is great credit again to the academy.

"We hope David can continue to play the way he has been because he has been outstanding."

With Woodgate now nearing his return, Wheater knows he will have to maintain his level of performance if he is to hold on to his place, but he is relishing his big chance.

He said: "I am really enjoying it. It's bad that it came from all the injuries to my mates, but I took the chance when I had it, so it has been good.

"The first friendly we had, I don't think I was starting, then the day before, Chris Riggott got injured and I have just taken my chance from there.

"It is going to be tough, but hopefully I have played well enough and will keep playing well enough to keep my place."

One of Southgate's main priorities as last season drew to a close was to persuade Woodgate that his future lay on Teesside, something he did to good effect.

The former Leeds and Newcastle defender sealed a £7million switch from Real Madrid after proving his ability all over again during a hugely successful loan spell after a dreadful run of injuries.

Southgate was delighted to capture a man whose form won him a return to the senior England side, not only for his contribution on the pitch, but that off it as well.

That has proved a big help to youngsters like Wheater as they attempt to make their way in the game.

Wheater said: "Jonathan is fantastic with the young lads. He is always laughing and joking.

"If you do something wrong, he won't have a go at you, he will just tell you how to do it right. He is fantastic to have around."

Boro slumped to successive defeats in their opening two games, at home to Blackburn and then away at Wigan, but last Saturday's 2-1 won at Fulham has raised spirits ahead of the derby.

Wheater said: "I cannot wait. We have had chances to win the games we have lost, so why not win this one?"