Chris Hughton welcomes back several players when Newcastle visit Sheffield United on Monday in his first game since being named permanent boss.

Hughton has been given a contract until the end of the 2010/11 season having steered the Magpies to the top of the Championship during his caretaker role.

Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor should return from groin and hamstring injuries respectively at Bramall Lane, while fellow defender Danny Simpson, on loan from Manchester United, is likely to be available after an ankle problem.

Midfielder Alan Smith is also back in the squad after missing the 2-1 victory over Doncaster at St James' Park last Saturday through suspension, but defender Zurab Khizanishvili starts a three-match ban for his red card in that game after the club lost their appeal.

The Blades' injury crisis shows little sign of easing.

Andy Taylor is the latest player to face a spell on the sidelines after suffering a torn thigh muscle in last weekend's 4-3 defeat to Cardiff, although the left-back is hopeful of returning for next Monday's trip to Yorkshire rivals Barnsley.

Midfielder Nick Montgomery (medial knee ligament) is aiming to return after the international break in mid-November, while Gary Naysmith is set to step up his recovery from a knee injury with an outing for the reserves in the week.

Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny remains unavailable following his drugs ban, while manager Kevin Blackwell is also set to be without Jamie Ward (broken wrist), Lee Williamson (back), Derek Geary and Andrew Davies (knee).

Striker Richard Cresswell is also doubtful with a rib injury that ruled him out of the Cardiff game.