Enrique regains fitness ahead of vital Villa clash

Newcastle United left-back Jose Enrique has given boss Alan Shearer a massive boost ahead of the relegation win-or-go-down encounter with Aston Villa on Sunday.

Fullback Habib Beye is out with injury, and Michael Owen is nursing a knock too, but Alan Smith is back in contention for Villa Park.

Ryan Taylor is set to deputise at right-back for the Magpies with Sebastien Bassong suspended, and David Edgar not preferred by Toon boss Alan Shearer.

Bassong's absence paves the way for Fabricio Coloccini, and Steven Taylor to set up shop at the heart of the United defence, with the other Taylor, and Enrique taking up the full-back positions. The back-four are attacking, that is for sure, but whether they are good enough to keep Villa out is doubtful.

Kevin Nolan, Damien Duff, Jonas Gutierrez, and Nicky Butt are expected to start in midfield, with Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka up top.

Shearer may however have a secret agenda off screen, and some say he may revert to a Kevin Keegan 4-3-3 strategy with Owen, Viduka, and Martins up front with one of the midfielders sacrificed. For that however, Michael Owen will have to prove his fitness on Sunday morning.

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