Newcastle are pondering a move for Bolton defender Andy O'Brien after Mike Williamson was ruled out for a month.
The central defender is facing a spell on the sidelines after breaking his hand while exercising at home and it means boss Chris Hughton may look to make another loan signing ahead of the transfer window closing.
The Magpies boss is again being linked with former Toon star O'Brien but it remains to be seen if the Trotters would be willing to let him go as he played in their 4-0 win over Wigan on Saturday.
However Owen Coyle has players coming back into the fold and may agree to a deal if Hughton pursues a move.
"It's one I need to think about," Hughton revealed. "Losing Mike is a big blow, because he's going to be out for that period of time. Steven Taylor's still the same period of time away from being fit. I've got a lot of thinking to do over the next day or so.
"I've got to think about what we've got, and whether we can cope with what we've got.
"Probably more importantly I've got to assess Colo and how he's going to be."