Newcastle striker Andy Carroll will return to the Magpies squad for the Championship trip to Oakwell to take on Barnsley on Saturday.

The 20-year-old was left out of Wednesday's 2-0 win at Coventry, which sent the Magpies seven points clear at the top of the Championship, following his arrest over an allegation of assault during the early hours of Monday morning.

However, manager Chris Hughton has confirmed Carroll will be included in the travelling party as he competes for a place with Shola Ameobi and Nile Ranger, who both scored at the Ricoh Arena, and Marlon Harewood and Peter Lovenkrands, who started in partnership against Watford last Saturday.

Ameobi, who played in midweek for the first time since the end of August after overcoming a foot injury, suffered no reaction and will be available again.

Hughton has only one absentee in midfielder Joey Barton, who remains on target to make a comeback from a foot problem towards the end of January.