Newcastle boosted by return of THREE players to fitness

The trio are in Peter Beardsley's squad for the club's rearranged Under-21 Premier League Cup tie against Everton at Southport's Haig Avenue (7pm kick-off)

Riviere and Marveaux haven't featured all season, while Aarons has been unavailable since September.

United head coach Steve McClaren had been considering naming Aarons on the bench for last weekend's FA Cup tie at Watford.

However, McClaren opted against including him in his squad as he hadn't had any match practice in the wake of last week's postponement of the Everton tie.

McClaren is keen to take a look at Riviere given that he only has one fit striker available to him.

Marveaux, meanwhile, was an unused substitute at Vicarage Road.