MATT RITCHIE returns to Newcastle's starting line-up for this evening's Championship game at Barnsley.

The Scottish winger has recovered from the illness that kept him out of Saturday's 3-1 win over Brentford, and replaces Christian Atsu on the right of midfield.

Rafael Benitez has made three changes from his weekend line-up, with Isaac Hayden coming in for Jack Colback at the base of midfield.

Hayden will play alongside Jonjo Shelvey, with Mo Diame replacing Ayoze Perez in the 'number ten' role.

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

Subs: Sels (gk), Yedlin, Lazaar, Colback, Atsu, Perez, Mitrovic.

BARNSLEY (4-2-3-1): Davies; Bree, Yiadom, Roberts, Jackson; Hourihane, Morsy; Hammill, Kent, Winnall; Watkins.

Subs: Townsend (gk), Kpekawa, MacDonald, Lee, Bird, Bradshaw, Williams.