RAFAEL BENITEZ has made six changes for Newcastle United's Championship home game with Blackburn Rovers.

With today's game marking the start of a run of three games in six days, Benitez has opted to shuffle his pack despite the Magpies looking to set a new club record by claiming a tenth successive win in all competitions.

Newcastle will field a remodelled back four, with DeAndre Yedlin, Chancel Mbemba and Jesus Gamez all coming into the team that won at Leeds United last weekend.

Vurnon Anita, Jamaal Lascelles and Paul Dummett all drop out of the side that claimed a 2-0 win at Elland Road.

Isaac Hayden comes into the heart of midfield, replacing Jack Colback who is unavailable because of an eye injury.

Christian Atsu comes in for Yoan Gouffran on the left-hand side, with Aleksandar Mitrovic preferred to the Championship's leading goalscorer, Dwight Gayle, up front.

NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Yedlin, Mbemba, Clark, Gamez; Shelvey, Hayden; Ritchie, Perez, Atsu; Mitrovic.

Subs: Sels (gk), Dummett, Lascelles, Anita, Gouffran, Diame, Gayle.

BLACKBURN (4-4-2): Steele; Marshall, Williams, Lowe, Mulgrew; Conway, Evans, Lenihan, Feeney; Gallagher, Graham.

Subs: Raya (gk), Brown, Bennett, Nyambee, Akpan, Emnes, Stokes.