AYOZE PEREZ returns to Newcastle United's starting line-up as Rafael Benitez's side look to end a difficult week with a confidence-boosting win at Nottingham Forest.

The Magpies kick off at the City Ground with a two-point gap at the top of the Championship table, but have not won in their last two matches with last weekend's league defeat to Blackburn preceding an EFL Cup loss to Hull City on penalties.

Perez did not feature at the KCOM Stadium, but the Spaniard comes back into the side tonight to replace Mo Diame, who drops down to the bench.

Benitez has made four changes in total, with former Forest goalkeeper Karl Darlow returning to the starting line-up in place of Matz Sels.

DeAndre Yedlin gets the nod at right-back, with Vurnon Anita dropping down to the bench, and Paul Dummett returns on the opposite side of the back four ahead of Achraf Lazaar.

Nottingham Forest have named former Sunderland striker Nicklas Bendtner in their starting line-up as they look to build on last weekend's 5-2 away win at Barnsley.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-4-1-1): Stojkovic; Lichaj, Mancienne, Mills, Perquis; Cash, Lam, Lansbury, Kasami; Osborn; Bendtner.

Subs: Henderson (gk), Assombalonga, Carayol, Vaughan, Hobbs, Grant, Vellios.

NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Shelvey, Hayden; Ritchie, Perez, Gouffran; Gayle.

Subs: Sels (gk), Mbemba, Anita, Tiote, Diame, Atsu, Mitrovic