NEW year, new hope. That is the message from Alan Pardew as he revealed a major injury boost for Newcastle United that he is optimistic will accelerate their climb away from the Premier League danger zone.

Yesterday morning’s training session saw Yohan Cabaye and Steven Taylor return to the pitch, and Pardew is predicting that both have a “great chance” of adding some star quality to the United side that travels to Norwich City on January 12.

That is a sizeable boost for Newcastle, who have struggled to cope with a number of injuries to key players this season.

Even this week they have seen Danny Simpson succumb to a toe injury that will rule him out for a month – although his loss will be mitigated by the signing of Mathieu Debuchy, who is set to complete his move from Lille by the end of the week.

Thus, in spite of what Pardew admitted was an “awful” result at Arsenal, he can see light at the end of the tunnel.

“I think both Yohan and Steven Taylor have a great chance for Norwich,” the United boss said.

“Players coming back is the most important thing because we have some fantastic players who are not contributing at the minute.

“Our whole first-choice midfield, with the exception of Cheick (Tioté), is sitting in the treatment room.

“Once they come back, and we’re a little bit more positive today on the training ground – Cabaye was running around and Taylor was running around – then that will give everyone a lift.”