SIEM DE JONG will provide Newcastle United head coach John Carver with a welcome boost when he returns to training this morning.

De Jong revealed on Twitter that he had been given the green light to start training after suffering a collapsed lung for the second time in his career last month.

The Dutch international’s first season on Tyneside has been ravaged by injuries and the 26-year-old suffered the condition when he was on the brink of returning to the squad after four months out with a torn thigh muscle.

The former Ajax captain has made just three competitive appearances since arriving in a £6m deal last summer with his last coming in the 3-3 draw against Crystal Palace on August 30 last year.

When De Jong suffered a second collapsed lung it was feared that he would not play again this season but he could yet figure for the Magpies with nine games left until the end of the season.

De Jong’s return will boost Carver, who has seen his squad decimated by injuries and suspensions in recent weeks, but despite that the Magpies will not rush him back given the length of time he has been out of action.

The Dutchman underwent surgery which should prevent a recurrence of the problem and his return to training comes with the Magpies short of firepower up front.

Top scorer Papiss Cisse is serving a seven-match ban for spitting at Manchester United’s Jonny Evans, while Emmanuel Riviere and Ayoze Perez are struggling for form.

Carver has problems at the back, too, with only one fit senior centre-back to choose from for Saturday’s visit of Arsenal after Fabricio Coloccini’s three-match ban was upheld.

Daryl Janmaat is likely to start alongside Mike Williamson against the Gunners, while he will almost certainly have to play there when Sunderland host the Wear-Tyne derby a week on Sunday.

Meanwhile, young goalkeeper Freddie Woodman has been called up by England for the upcoming European Under-19 Championship Elite Round qualifiers.

The 18-year-old, who has two caps for the Young Lions at under-19 level having also represented his country at under-16, under-17 and under-18 level, is one of two goalkeepers named in Sean O'Driscoll's side for next week's trip to France.

Manchester City shot-stopper Angus Gunn - son of Norwich City legend Bryan - is the other 'keeper in the 18-man squad.

Woodman, who helped England to win the European Under-17 Championships last summer, has been named on the bench for Newcastle's first team on several occasions this season in the absence of Tim Krul and Rob Elliot.