Joey Barton will make his return for Newcastle United tonight against Middlesbrough reserves.
Joe Kinnear wants Barton back for Saturday's game at Sunderland and will give him a run-out at Billingham Synthonia's ground to test his fitness.
Barton has been training with the first team during his ban, and since his release from prison following a three-month spell in Strangeways for a drunken assault in Liverpool city centre.