HATEM BEN ARFA returns to the starting line-up as Newcastle United begin life without Yohan Cabaye with an away game at Norwich City tonight.

Ben Arfa has been handed Cabaye's key play-maker role as Alan Pardew looks to guide his side to a morale-boosting victory less than 24 hours after the Magpies accepted a £20m offer from Paris St Germain.

With Yoan Gouffran injured, Sammy Ameobi has been handed a surprise start on the left of midfield, with Moussa Sissoko retaining his place on the opposite flank.

And in the final change to the side that won 3-1 at West Ham in Newcastle's last league game, Mathieu Debuchy returns from suspension at full-back with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa dropping out of the back four.

Jonas Gutierrez is not involved in the Norwich City, as the terms of his loan from Newcastle prevent him from turning out against his parent club.

NORWICH (4-4-2): Ruddy; Martin, R Bennett, Bassong, Olsson; Snodgrass, Fer, Johnson, Pilkington; van Wolfswinkel, Hooper.

Subs: Bunn (gk), Whittaker, Garrido, Redmond, Tettey, Becchio, Elmander

NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Krul; Debuchy, S Taylor, Williamson, Santon; Tiote, Anita; Sissoko, Ben Arfa, Sammy Ameobi; Remy.

Subs: Elliot (gk), Haidara, Dummett, Yanga-Mbiwa, Gosling, Shola Ameobi, Armstrong.