Newcastle midfielder Jack Colback is available after missing the defeat by Nottingham Forest with an eye injury.
Goalkeeper Rob Elliott is close to a return from serious knee injury, but full-back Jesus Gamez (broken collarbone) remains on the sidelines.
In a meeting of first against fifth, Birmingham are still without suspended David Davis and Jonathan Spector.
Jacques Maghoma is a doubt, having not trained this week because of sickness, and Paul Caddis (shoulder) is out.
This is the first of two meetings between the two teams in a month, Gary Rowett's Blues having paired with Rafa Benitez's Magpies in the FA Cup third round at St Andrew's on 7 January.