Jamaal Lascelles has returned to training after illness - leaving Eddie Howe with a selection dilemma at West Ham this weekend.
The Newcastle captain had an excellent game in the 3-1 win over Everton last week but missed out on the 1-0 victory against Aston Villa.
Howe went with Fabian Schar and new signing Dan Burn as his two centre-backs with the Blyth lad winning man of the match in the opinion of most football writers and pundits.
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With Kieran Trippier set to miss the clash with West Ham after suffering foot damage, leaving Lascelles out would mean Howe also has to pick a new skipper.
Speaking about the omission of Lascelles, Howe said: "Lascelles had an illness.
"He picked that up in the last couple of days."
But Lascelles posted on Instagram yesterday: "Great to be back in training".
The skipper came under fire earlier in the season but played his part in three games of Newcastle's four-match unbeaten streak.
Howe is also boosted by the return of Paul Dummett who played a half of the win over Villa but Javier Manquillo is a doubt for the trip to the London Stadium.
