NEWCASTLE UNITED have recalled defender Mike Williamson from his loan spell at Championship side Wolves.
Williamson had been due to remain at Molineux until January, but has instead been recalled to Tyneside ahead of Newcastle's weekend game with Liverpool.
The centre-half's return has been triggered by a hamstrng injury sustained by Jamaal Lascelles in last weekend's 5-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.
Lascelles' injury is not believed to be serious, but his absence meant Newcastle effectively had no central defensive cover to the current first-choice pairing of Fabricio Coloccini and Chancel Mbemba.
The Magpies have leaked eight goals in their last two matches, so Steve McClaren will have to decide whether to thrust Williamson straight back into the starting line-up when Liverpool visit St James' Park on Sunday.
Williamson made five Championship appearances for Wolves after leaving Tyneside in October.
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