NEWCASTLE United are confident José Enrique and Joey Barton will both be fit to play against Portsmouth next Monday, although Steven Taylor is a fresh injury concern for Alan Shearer.

Taylor looked as though he was struggling throughout the first half of the 1-0 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday and was replaced by Alan Smith during the half-time break.

The injury is the same ankle problem he picked up against Arsenal back in March and it could be the England Under-21 international rushed back too quickly in his desire to aid United’s safety push. Shearer said: “It’s Steven Taylor’s ankle. He trained for two or three days with no reaction, and I just felt it was right to put him in. But he’s felt it again and we’ll have to see how he is over the next few days.”

The loss of Taylor will be offset by the return of Enrique. Shearer has made no attempt to hide his disdain for the club’s previous recruitment strategy which means the former Spanish Under-21 international is the only specialist left-back at St James’s Park and his return to fitness is a big relief.

Shearer said: “Hopefully, José Enrique will be training Wednesday or Thursday. If everything goes well with him, we might have him available for Ports-mouth.” United’s coaching staff will adopt a similar stance regarding Barton, but The Journal understands the combative midfielder has already told Shearer he is ready to play against Pompey.