Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnear insists the current squad is full of quality.

Kinnear's efforts to steady the ship, and those of caretaker Chris Hughton before him, have been hampered a crippling injury list as well as suspensions for Danny Guthrie and Joey Barton.

Guthrie was back at Goodison Park and Barton will be available for the derby trip to Sunderland on October 25.

With Habib Beye, Jonas Gutierrez, Ignacio Gonzalez and Andy Carroll all on the comeback trail, things are starting to look a little brighter despite less promising prognoses for Mark Viduka, Obafemi Martins and Alan Smith.

Eight of Kinnear's players joined up with their respective countries during the current international break, and that was an indication for him of the strength of the squad he has inherited.

He said: "I think that this international break has also highlighted what amazing strength this squad has.

"There have been eight players away on international duty - and it could have been more if the likes of Jonas Gutierrez and Habib Beye weren't injured."