DWIGHT Gayle has been passed fit to start in Newcastle United’s opening match of the new Premier League campaign.

The Magpies striker, who was the club’s leading scorer last season, will lead the line against Tottenham after recovering from hamstring trouble.

Rafael Benitez has handed first competitive starts to summer signings Javier Manquillo and Florian Lejeune, although Jacob Murphy and Mikel Merino only make the bench.

Tottenham, who are yet to make a single signing this summer, field former Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko at St James’ Park.

It will be the first time Sissoko has returned to St James’ since leaving in search of Champions League football last summer in a £30m deal. He started just eight league games for Spurs last season.

NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Elliot; Manquillo, Lejeune, Clark, Dummett; Shelvey, Hayden; Ritchie, Perez, Atsu; Gayle. Subs: Darlow (gk), Lascelles, Murphy, Aarons, Mbemba, Merino, Mitrovic.

TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Walker-Peters, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele; Sissoko, Eriksen, Dele; Kane. Subs: Vorm (gk), Carter-Vickers, Wimmer, Wanyama, Winks, Son, Janssen