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Hughton: Title hopes

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Newcastle boss Chris Hughton will welcome back a trio of players from injury against Barnsley, who could be set to name an unchanged line-up.

The Magpies are looking to cement their place at the top of the Championship and are boosted by the fact that left-back Jose Enrique, striker Peter Lovenkrands and experienced midfielder Nicky Butt are all in the squad.

Enrique has been out since damaging a hamstring on 27th January, while Lovenkrands picked up a similar problem during the 3-0 win over Preston a fortnight ago and Butt has been sidelined by a thigh injury for the last month.

Joey Barton has been back in training for more than a week, but Hughton will not use him until he is confident he has regained full match fitness following his foot injury.

However, Wayne Routledge (calf), Steven Taylor (knee) and Shola Ameobi (hamstring) remain on the casualty list.

Tykes team news

Barnsley manager Mark Robins could name an unchanged starting XI for his side's tricky-looking trip to St James' Park.

Robins is hoping striker Daniel Bogdanovic and midfielder Emil Hallfredsson both return unscathed from midweek international duty with Malta and Iceland, respectively.

Iain Hume scored the winner in last week's success over Blackpool and is pushing for a return to the starting line-up, while defender Rob Kozluk is not expected to return at this stage following a knee injury.

Young centre-half Luke Potter dropped back to the bench last week to make way for Ryan Shotton, who returned from suspension, and is again likely to be among the substitutes.

Robins has no new injury or suspension problems as his side, four points off the play-offs, chase a third successive league win.