STEVEN TAYLOR has been ruled out of Newcastle United’s lunch-time kick-off with West Bromwich Albion.

Taylor, who has enjoyed a fine return to the side during the Magpies’ recent resurgence, is a big absentee at the Hawthorns, so manager Alan Pardew has had to mix things up.

Rather than opt to bring in Mike Williamson to the heart of the defence, Pardew has chosen to play Paul Dummett in that role and field Massadio Haidara at left-back.

There are two other changes to the team which defeated Liverpool eight days ago. Remy Cabella is the man preferred to replace the injured Gabriel Obertan on the flank, while striker Ayoze Perez will start up front instead of Papiss Cisse.

Newcastle are looking to win five games in a row and could even climb as high as seventh.

West Brom: Foster; Wisdom, Lescott, Dawson, Pocognoli; Brunt, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Morrison; Anichebe, Berahino. Subs: Myhill (gk), Gamboa, McAuley, Baird, Yacob, Sessegnon, Samaras.

Newcastle: Krul; Janmaat, Coloccini, Dummett, Haidara; Sissoko, Abeid, Colback; Cabella, Perez, Ameobi. Subs: Elliot (gk), Williamson, R.Taylor, Anita, Gouffran, Armstrong, Cisse.