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Chopra: Returns to St James' Park

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Leon Best is in line to make his Newcastle United debut as Michael Chopra returns to his former club with Cardiff City.

Newcastle completed the signing of Best from Coventry City on deadline day and the striker, who has taken the No.20 shirt, is likely to lead the line.

Magpies boss Chris Hughton is also expected to hand a debut to defender Fitz Hall, who has moved to St James' Park on loan from Queens Park Rangers.

Hughton has also been handed a triple fitness boost after Shola Ameobi, Danny Simpson and Jonas Guiterrez were passed fit.

Ameobi has recovered from a shoulder problem, while Simpson and Gutierrez have shaken off ankle knocks to be available for Friday night's game.

However, Steven Taylor (knee) and Jose Enrique (hamstring) will be missing once again while midfielder Joey Barton is continuing his fight for full fitness after returning to training after a foot injury.

Cardiff news

Former Newcastle striker Chopra will spearhead the attack for the visitors, who are without Gavin Rae due to injury.

The central midfielder was forced off shortly after the hour mark in last weekend's 2-1 win over Doncaster - a result which extended the cash-strapped club's unbeaten sequence to eight games.

His absence provides manager Dave Jones with a midfield dilemma with Joe Ledley already sidelined following the first of two hip operations that could rule him out for the rest of the campaign.

Peter Whittingham is likely to move into the middle of the park and partner fit-again Aaron Wildig or Darcy Blake, with Chris Burke and Ross McCormack on either flank. Solomon Taiwo is another option.

Midfielder Stephen McPhail and defender Miguel Comminges have returned to training after lengthy absences but neither are ready for match action just yet.

Captain Mark Hudson (ankle), young striker Josh Magennis (broken fibula) and on-loan Kelvin Etuhu (ankle) all remain out for the long term as the fourth-placed Bluebirds look to inflict a first home defeat of the season on the leaders.