JOHN CARVER is set to pitch Mehdi Abeid straight into the heat of a Wear-Tyne derby battle as the Algerian midfielder steps up his recovery from a thigh injury.

Abeid damaged his thigh in the middle of last month, and was forced to sit out the defeats to Everton and Arsenal.

However, the 22-year-old has returned to training and is hoping to thrust himself into contention for a place in the starting line-up for Sunday’s visit to the Stadium of Light.

Carver handed Abeid a starting spot after he returned from a previous toe injury, and is known to have been impressed with the African’s performances in both the 1-0 win over Aston Villa and 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.

Vurnon Anita and Yoan Gouffran filled the defensive midfield slots in Newcastle’s most recent outing against Arsenal, but neither was especially successful at curtailing the Gunners’ attacking threat.

Anita’s starting position is under most threat, with the Dutchman having struggled to find his best form for the majority of the campaign.

Provided Abeid comes through the next couple of days of training unscathed, he is expected to be preferred to Anita when the team to take on Sunderland is confirmed.

Rolando Aarons is also expected to return to the squad following an injury lay-off of his own, but the teenage winger is likely to be restricted to the substitutes’ bench after making just one Premier League substitute appearance since the end of August.

Sunday’s game will see Newcastle attempt to end a record run of four successive derby defeats, and the majority of the Magpies line up will be attempting to secure their first victory over the Black Cats.

Ayoze Perez falls into that camp, but the Spanish striker can at least boast a derby victory from his homeland as he prepares to lead the line on Wearside.

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In December 2013, Perez played for Tenerife in their derby game against Las Palmas, who are traditionally the stronger of the two Canary Islands sides.

Perez scored twice as Tenerife claimed a 3-0 win, winning the Man of the Match award in the process, and while Sunday’s game will be on a markedly different scale to a Spanish Segunda Division affair, he is hoping the success will prove a positive omen.

“A derby is always a special game,” said Perez. “It means more than three points – the fans live it with passion.

“My memories of the Canary Islands derby couldn’t be better. It was an unforgettable day for me, and I hope to repeat this match on Sunday in the Tyne-Wear derby.

“I know a derby is a special game for the team and fans. It’s a different game, a game that the players love to play.

“The derbies are for the fans, and we want to make our fans proud of the team. The best thing after the derby would be to see the kids wearing their Newcastle jerseys at school with pride. That’s what we want, and we are going to fight to get it.”