KEVIN MBABUA will make his full Newcastle United debut in today's Premier League home game with champions Chelsea.
Having come off the bench to make his first appearance in a Magpies shirt in Wednesday's Capital One Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, Mbabua has been awarded a first start this evening.
He is expected to start at left-back instead of the injured Massadio Haidara, although he could play on the opposite flank with Daryl Janmaat switching to the left.
In total, Steve McClaren has made five changes to the side that crashed out of the League Cup in midweek, with skipper Fabricio Coloccini returning to the heart of the back four as both Mike Williamson and Jamaal Lascelles drop out.
Jack Colback returns to the base of midfield, with Ayoze Perez named in a more attacking position and Aleksandar Mitrovic back as the lone centre-forward following the end of the three-match suspension that was imposed following his dismissal against Arsenal.
Florian Thauvin, Siem de Jong and Gabriel Obertan all drop out after starting against Sheffield Wednesday.
Jose Mourinho is looking for his first win at St James' Park, and the Chelsea boss has named a strong starting line-up that features former Newcastle forward Loic Remy playing as a lone striker in place of the suspended Diego Costa.
NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Krul; Janmaat, Coloccini, Mbemba, Mbabu; Anita, Colback; Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Perez; Mitrovic.
Subs: Elliot (gk), Williamson, Lascelles, Obertan, Thauvin, de Jong, Toney.
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Ivanovic, Zouma, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Pedro, Oscar, Hazard; Remy.
Subs: Blackman (gk), Terry, Ramires, Mikel, Willian, Kenedy, Falcao.
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