RAFAEL BENITEZ has made eight changes to the Newcastle United starting line-up for this afternoon’s FA Cup third round tie at Birmingham City.
Aleksandar Mitrovic has been introduced to the team after missing the defeat at Blackburn, which fuelled rumours he was on his way out at St James’ Park.
The rest of the changes have raised question marks over the formation, with a number of full-backs included, with left-back Massadio Haidara starting for the first time since September 2015.
Holding midfielder Cheik Tiote is recalled too, while leading scorer Dwight Gayle is on the bench along with Matt Ritchie.
BIRMINGHAM CITY (possible 4-2-3-1): Legzdins; Spector, Shotton, Robinson, Grounds Kieftenbeld, Gleeson; Davis, Fabbrini, Adams; Jutkiewicz. Subs: Kuszczak (gk), Tesche, Cotterill, Brown, Stewart, Dacres-Cogley, Morrison.
NEWCASTLE UNITED (possible 4-2-3-1): Sels; Anita, Hanley, Lascelles, Haidara; Tiote, Colback; Yedlin, Murphy, Lazaar; Mitrovic. Subs: Darlow (gk), Dummett, Clark, Hayden, Gouffran, Ritchie, Gayle.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here