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Newcastle United have finally received some positive news on the injury front, with up to five players in contention for a return to the side for Norwich City.

Daryl Janmaat, Jack Colback, Paul Dummett, Massadio Haidara and Kevin Mbabu all have a chance of being fit for the game on Sunday, though the likelihood is that not all of them will make it, according to assistant head coach Paul Simpson.

Both Colback and Janmaat are closest to a return and, although doubts remain over Dummett, Haidara and Mbabu, they are trying their utmost to be fit come 4pm on Sunday.

Rolando Aarons, Gabriel Obertan and Karl Darlow are still a matter of weeks away from a return, however.

Simpson told nufcTV: “We’re confident that Daryl (Janmaat) will come through the week and be available for Sunday.

“Jack Colback has started his training, we’re hoping that he’ll be available for the game against Norwich.

“Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara – they’re both starting to build their fitness up and there’s a possibility that they may be involved.

“Further back down the line are the likes of Rolando Aarons, who we’re hoping will join in training next week.

“Gabby Obertan is still a few weeks away. Karl Darlow is a few weeks away.

“Kevin Mbabu we’re keeping our fingers crossed that he may have a chance for the weekend but it’s possibly going to be maybe one week too early but we’ll assess that as we’re going along.”

The Magpies lost Tim Krul to a season-ending knee-ligament injury at the weekend and currently have 13 players on the treatment table.

And Simpson has praised the work of the club’s medical staff, who he says have been “working overtime” in order to get some of Steve McClaren’s squad back out on to the field.

Simpson continued: “It’s been a horrible time for them (the medical staff) in there – they’ll be sick of the sight of some of the faces in there.

“But we’re hopeful that after this international break we should have more players back fit again.

“Obviously as some come out of the room then others go in (like) in Tim’s case.

“We’re asking the medical department to be working overtime but they’re pulling out all the stops trying to get all the lads out.

“And credit to them that we’re actually being able to consider Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara and Jack Colback for this weekend.

“We’ll keep them working this week and hopefully they can perform their magic and get them out for us.”