Stan Lazaridis and Muzzy Izzet are on the verge of making a shock return to Birmingham's first team today after successfully coming through three days training.
In an ideal world Steve Bruce wouldn't consider either player after their long lay-off, but his squad has been decimated by injuries and both players could be thrown in at the deep end at Newcastle.
Olivier Tebily is struggling with illness and Bruce is rapidly running out of options.
However, he was forced to use Stephen Clemence in similar circumstances at Highbury last month and was rewarded with an excellent performance.
However, there is always a danger that either player could break down again, but Birmingham's position in the relegation zone ensures that Bruce cannot afford to wait any longer.
His options have been further limited by the Premier League's decision to deny him permission to play his son, Alex.
Visit our breaking sport section to find out how Blues got on this weekend
Bruce junior was recalled from his loan spell at Tranmere early and the club were hoping that special dispensation would allow him in to the squad for today's game.
But the Premier League have snubbed the request, which means that Bruce is only eligible for reserve team duty until his loan deal expires in January.
If Izzet and Lazaridis are called into action it will allow Bruce to shuffle his pack and restore some semblance of normality to his injury-ravaged team.
"Anyone who knows me will know that I am not one to play people out of positions and put square pegs in round holes," claimed Bruce.
"However, I might have to play people out of position at present.
"But I certainly won't try and change the way I do things - why should I change?
"You have to keep your wits about you and try and be as normal as you can.
"We have got to keep trying and not get moved from which way we want to go.
"I have it on good authority that almost everyone will be fit for the Bolton game in two weeks and that, ultimately, is when I am going to be judged.
"We have to pick up 12 to 14 points to make sure we are still in with a shout at Christmas."
