While caretaker boss Chris Hughton is sweating on the fitness of key defensive duo Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini for Monday night's game against Sheffield United, and waiting on an appeal over loanee Zurab Khizanishvili's suspension, Simpson is certain return.

The 22-year-old sat out Saturday's 2-1 win over Doncaster with an ankle problem that has been troubling him in recent weeks.

But Simpson – on loan from Manchester United until January – will return to training this week to give Hughton some rare good news on the injury front.

"Danny's been missing with an ankle injury which recurred from when we played Plymouth at St James's Park," said Hughton. "That's what kept him out, and he'll definitely be fit for the next game. To have Danny back is a boost for us, undoubtedly, and increases our options.

"We know that he can play in more than one position across the back four. Hopefully, there'll be more than one player returning to give us those options."

Simpson has signalled his keeness to talk to Newcastle about a permanent move to St James's Park, believing his chances of first-team football remain limited at Old Trafford.