Newcastle will again be without Andy Carroll because of a thigh injury while Alan Smith faces another long lay-off after injuring his ankle at Sunderland.
Dan Gosling made his return from a knee injury in that game but the joint has since swelled up and he will miss out.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp could give a debut to new signing Steven Pienaar.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Wilson Palacios are doubtful after they both picked up minor knee injuries in training this week.
Given Tottenham's poor recent record at St James' Park, this weekend's fixture is the sort of match that will put their credentials as title challengers to the test.
Harry Redknapp's son Jamie was part of the Spurs team that last won in the league at Newcastle back in 2004 - in their four visits since then, Tottenham have failed to take even a point.
Newcastle have outscored Tottenham this season and Redknapp senior has been linked with the Magpies' top scorer Andy Carroll, although he will be denied a close-up scouting opportunity on Saturday, as the England striker has a thigh injury.
Not that Carroll's absence seems to have had too much effect on Newcastle, who have won two and drawn one of the three league games he has missed. Furthermore, manager Alan Pardew has also been able to rely on captain Kevin Nolan, who has reached double figures in league goals for the first time in his career.
Pardew appears to have settled in well at Newcastle and for all the misgivings over his appointment, the Magpies are unbeaten in the league in 2011 although last Sunday's draw at Sunderland must have felt like a defeat, thanks to the Black Cats' last-gasp equaliser.
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