Newcastle United will make a late fitness call on Kieran Trippier ahead of Saturday's Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (12:45pm kick-off).
Trippier missed Monday's 4-2 defeat at Liverpool due to a groin injury picked up in the Boxing Day defeat against Nottingham Forest and is a doubt for the match on Saturday. Callum Wilson is also set to miss the FA Cup third-round match with a calf issue along with several others.
Ahead of the match, Howe was asked about Trippier's chances of featuring against The Black Cats.
"With Kieran, we're going to give him a late test today and see how he is tomorrow," he said. "[Wilson is] not too bad but it'll be enough to keep him out of this game and our next game but hopefully he'll be back for Aston Villa.
"It's been a good week for us, since the Liverpool game the lads have trained well. We know the importance of the fixture and what it means to everybody so we're ready and hopefully we can give the best account of ourselves."
Subject to Trippier's late fitness test, Newcastle are unlikely to welcome any other players back from injury this weekend with nine players currently ruled out. But Howe is hoping his side will be back at 'full pelt' this weekend.
"Hopefully we can say we're at full pelt for the weekend," Howe added. "That's how we have to look, there are no excuses." The match will be the first Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 as Newcastle look to pick up their first win against Sunderland since 2011.
Here is Newcastle United's current injury list and expected return dates heading into Saturday's match...
1. Jacob Murphy (calf)
Felt a tight calf in the warm-up at Nottingham Forest that rendered him 'unusable' for the match. Expected return: AFC Bournemouth (H) - 17/02
2. Callum Wilson (chest)
Wilson managed to complete 90 minutes at Nottingham Forest but ended the match with his arm in a makeshift sling. Eddie Howe said after the game that he hopes the injury is not serious but it was too soon to tell. It has since been revealed the striker suffered a pectoral injury in his chest. Expected return: TBC
3. Alexander Isak (groin)
Newcastle's top scorer was forced off during Tuesday's 3-1 win at Aston Villa with a groin issue. While it's not thought to be serious, Eddie Howe said he could be out for the next couple of games Expected return: Arsenal (A) - 24/02
4. Matt Targett (hamstring)
Matt Targett has been on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury in the opening minutes of Newcastle’s 3-0 Carabao Cup win against Manchester United. The left-back had surgery on his hamstring in November and given a three month recovery time. Howe has since confirmed Targett is back on the grass but not running just yet. Expected return: Arsenal (A) - 24/02