Elliot Anderson could return to Newcastle United squad at Blackburn

Anderson has been sidelined since suffering a back injury in mid-October, but the midfielder has been gradually building up his training programme in the last couple of weeks.

He has a chance of featuring in the squad at Ewood Park, along with left-back Matt Targett, who is also approaching full fitness after his own injury lay-off.

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“They're getting there,” said Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe. “It’s been a long road for both of them, with two very different injuries.

“Matt's was quite clear-cut with a bad tear in his hamstring which needed an operation and his recovery has been pretty straight line I think.

“Elliot's has been a very, very difficult injury because he felt okay, but a scan was saying a stress fracture in his back, so he's had to give it a lot of rest where he couldn't be too active, which is hugely frustrating for an athlete.

“He's worked really hard and felt good in the last few weeks, and both of them are right on the tip of returning.”

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Howe is hoping Martin Dubravka will be available to return this evening, having missed Saturday’s defeat at Arsenal because of an illness, although the Magpies boss insists he will be perfectly comfortable if he has to stick with Loris Karius.

“In a very difficult performance from the team (at Arsenal), I think Loris did okay,” said Howe. “He made a couple of good saves, and controlled his box pretty well. I think he’ll be pleased considering he hasn’t played for a year. It was a good return.”

Nick Pope remains unavailable after undergoing shoulder surgery, with the England international still a number of weeks away from being able to consider a return to full training.

“There’s no immediate update,” said Howe. “He’s (Pope) not on the verge of returning. He’s still working his way back.

“He’s still very much gym based, although I think he has done a couple of hand sessions outside. But it’s very, very gentle at this stage, so I still think he’s a number of weeks away.”