Jack Colback in race to be fit for Newcastle United’s showdown with Norwich City

The midfielder missed last weekend’s 6-1 defeat to Manchester City with a hamstring problem.

And Steve McClaren is hopeful that Colback will be available for the home match against Norwich on October 18.

Struggling Newcastle, without a win in eight games, are bottom of the Premier League table.

United head coach McClaren fielded Yoan Gouffran as a defensive midfielder in the 6-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium with Cheick Tiote having been short of fitness after his recent lay-off.

Colback – who suffered the injury in the 2-2 draw against Chelsea last month – must stay out of the referee’s notebook if he does play against Norwich.

The 25-year-old is a booking away from a one-game ban, having been shown four yellow cards already this season.

And he would miss the Wear-Tyne derby against former club Sunderland at the Stadium of Light with a booking against Norwich.

Meanwhile, McClaren felt Tiote, back from a knee problem, wasn’t fit enough to start against City in Colback’s absence.

But Tiote – who was not called up by the Ivory Coast – will have the benefit of a fortnight’s training by the time the Premier League resumes after the international break.

McClaren will be without defender Kevin Mbabu for game against Norwich.

Mbabu, used as a makeshift left-back by McClaren with Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara unavailable through injury, limped out of the City game with a hamstring problem.

But defender Daryl Janmaat, forced to withdraw from the Holland squad with a knee problem, will be fit.

And Dummett, yet to make an appearance this season, is back in training and could go straight into the starting XI against Norwich.

The 24-year-old missed the club’s entire pre-season with his injury, which dates back to May.

But Dummett has come through a rigorous rehabilitation and fitness programme at the club’s Benton training ground, while Haidara could also be available.

Haidara has sat out the last three games because of a knee problem.

Meanwhile, United have sold their allocation for the Wear-Tyne derby on October 25.