Michael Owen and Nicky Butt, have put themselves up for selection for Monday night's game with Aston Villa at St James's Park, but they will not automatically walk straight into the side.
Joe Kinnear: "I am expecting both Michael Owen and Nicky Butt to be back training with us later today, and the fact that our game with Villa is not until Monday night gives them both a chance of being back in the picture.
Owen Not Guaranteed His Place!
By Nu Mad
Updated Sunday, 2nd November 2008
"But Joey Barton came in for Nicky against West Brom on Tuesday night and he did very well.
"And in Michael's absence, Shola Ameobi has taken his chance with both hands and Oba Martins was back among the goals again.
"I am not going to be afraid to rotate players, and if we can get Nicky and Michael back for Villa it means that we will have a strong substitutes' bench, something we have not always had since I came here.
"Charles (N'Zogbia) really hasn't been 100% with a couple of niggly injuries.
"It has never been my policy to use players out of position, and I see N'Zogbia not as a full-back but as an attacking midfielder, which I know he himself prefers.
"But at the moment he faces terrific competition to get into the left side of our midfield because of the form of Damien Duff and Spiderman (Jonas Gutierrez).
"The same applies to Sebastien Bassong. He has played left-back for me and is happy to play anywhere, but I know he considers himself a central defender."
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