England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson is set to return for Newcastle and begin his late charge for a place in Ian McGeechan's British and Irish Lions squad.
The 29-year-old has out been out since September with the latest in a long line of injuries, this time to his knee, but is on the verge of returning for the Falcons.
However, with the clock ticking before McGeechan names his squad on April 21, Newcastle have added Wilkinson to their squad for the closing stages of the European Challenge Cup.
That makes him available for the quarter-final against Saracens on April 12, but he will hope to return this Sunday against Wasps in the Guinness Premiership.