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Pardew relief at Cabaye fitness

Passmaster Yohan Cabaye will be fit for Saturday's match with Norwich © Getty Images

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Newcastle have been given a lift with the news that influential midfielder Yohan Cabaye will travel with the squad for the Premier League game against Norwich on Saturday.

Although manager Alan Pardew thinks that Cabaye, 26, won't start the game he hopes the French international will be ready to come off the bench if needed, and play an even bigger role in the trip to Reading a week later.

"The good news is we are taking Cabaye on the bus, which is like signing a new player," Pardew said. "I don't think he's really ready to start, if I'm honest. I think his role will be off the bench, if the situation evolves where we need him.

"Yohan is a great player and has lifted everybody this week, just in terms of picking passes out in training. It's just nice to have some senior players out there working hard and just his inclusion is going to give everyone a huge lift."

Pardew also revealed that Papiss Cisse, Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez will all return after missing the FA Cup defeat to Brighton last weekend, while defender Steven Taylor is also targeting the game with Reading to return to the Newcastle fold.

"Papiss and Colo are both fit as well, so they will be in and around the team, and we certainly look a lot stronger than the unfortunate situation we were in last week," Pardew added. "Steven Taylor will be ready for Reading and Cabaye will certainly be ready for Reading. Jonas is fit and he will be available for Norwich, so we are getting some senior bodies back at a crucial time."

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