'This is a chance for comeback trio'
Arriving immediately after an international break, Liverpool's trip to St James' Park is the perfect opportunity for the Reds players returning to full fitness according to assistant manager Colin Pascoe.
More than a dozen first-team squad members travelled to represent their country at various levels during the past 10 days, with the majority involved in intense World Cup qualifying fixtures.
Brendan Rodgers confirmed at his press conference on Thursday that Joe Allen, Aly Cissokho and Glen Johnson are available for selection again against Newcastle after prolonged spells on the sidelines.
Pascoe is confident that having all three back in contention for the Barclays Premier League clash on Saturday provides a helpful fillip to Rodgers' team as they resume domestic action.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: "When you go away for internationals, you have got the games and the minutes on the pitch. They are all coming back happy and obviously the England boys have qualified.
"When they come back we have got to assess them and see how many minutes they have played.
"They have their recovery, which is always important. It's an early kick-off on Saturday but they will be well prepared for it and they are all looking forward to it.
"They are great professionals, they look after themselves. The recovery is really important now, they will recover well in the next couple of days and we'll crack on then for Newcastle.
"It also gives a chance for the injured players - Aly Cissokho, Glen Johnson and Joe Allen, to mention a couple - to give them extra time and hopefully be available for the Newcastle game.
"They have trained well. While the international boys have been away, they have stayed behind and worked hard. Especially this week, they have joined in full training and they will be up for selection.
"There is always improvement. The lads coming back is great for the competition in the squad as well.
"You always look at the team and want to score more goals or keep clean sheets; that's the way you're looking to improve the team."
When they journeyed north to Newcastle six months ago, Liverpool ran out emphatic 6-0 winners over the Magpies courtesy of a dominant attacking display.
Although fully aware that the hosts will be determined to avoid a repeat this weekend, Pascoe believes the Reds can maintain their position towards the top of the league by utilising their passing style.
"Newcastle is a hard place to go, it's a great club and I'm sure they will try to stop us getting that score again. We'll be determined to go up to Newcastle and get the three points," the Welshman added.
"They have got powerful forwards; they are a good side. It will be hard. Just like any game we approach, we will try to get on the ball and dictate play - that's what we like to do and pass the ball around.
"It's like the first game of the season - we won that game and we were top. We want to get back to the top."