Wayne Rooney is expected to return to the Manchester United starting lineup for Wednesday's trip to Newcastle United.

The England international, along with teammates Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson, was dropped for the recent defeat to Blackburn Rovers for breaching club rules.

Sir Alex Ferguson may also be able to call upon defenders Rio Ferdinand and Chris Smalling, who have been absent recently with a hamstring problem and illness respectively.

A toe injury could prevent Newcastle winger Gabriel Obertan from turning out against his former club, although manager Alan Pardew is hopeful that he will passed fit.

Current form:

Newcastle: LLDLWL
Man United: WWWWWL

Possible lineups:

Newcastle: Krul; Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, R Taylor; Gutierrez, Cabaye, Vuckic, Ben Arfa; Ba, Best

Man United: Lindegaard; Smalling, Jones, Ferdinand, Evra; Giggs, Carrick, Valencia, Nani; Welbeck, Rooney

Sports Mole says: 1-2