Newcastle United's World Cup duo Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson have returned to Tyneside in preparation for next week's League Cup clash against AFC Bournemouth.
The pair were the first back from the tournament in Qatar with Eddie Howe set to confirm when Switzerland's Fabian Schar and Brazil's Bruno Guimaraes returns while Nick Pope is also due back next week.
It remains to be seen whether the pair would be available for the encounter with the Cherries in the last 16 of the cup tie at St James' Park. Trippier has been used as an effective substitute in the last two rounds against Tranmere, coming on to create goals at Prenton Park in the 2-1 then stepping up to take a penalty against Crystal Palace in the shoot-out.
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And Howe may have a cameo role in mind again while Wilson picked up a muscle strain injury but was fit enough to be on the bench in the disappointing 2-1 defeat against France. Howe's team face Rayo Vallecano at St James' on Saturday lunchtime and he is expected to top up the minutes of those who starred in the 5-0 win against Al-Hilal.
When asked last week on the return of his World Cup stars, Howe said: "I think we'll take it on an individual basis because it's a difficult one to predict. Of course, we don't know how long the players will stay involved in the World Cup so that has a bearing.
"Then, the individual player, how much football they've played at World Cup could potentially have a bearing. Speaking to all the players, I know they're very keen to come back and join us very quickly but of course, we have to have the balance right.
"We don't want to fatigue players mentally probably more than physically going into the second half of the season. At some stage, we will probably need to give them a break. "When that is, I don't know."
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