RAFAEL BENITEZ has reverted to his strongest line-up for Newcastle United's home game with QPR this evening.

Having made nine changes for the Magpies' FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Oxford, Benitez has restored the same nine players back to the starting line-up.

As a result, he has named the same XI that started the 4-0 league victory over Rotherham ten days ago.

Karl Darlow returns in goal, with Jamaal Lascelles coming back to partner Ciaran Clark at the heart of the back four.

Jonjo Shelvey partners Isaac Hayden at the base of midfield, with Daryl Murphy starting as a lone striker.

Mo Daime returns to the substitutes' bench, having flown back to England after representing Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Shelvey, Hayden; Ritchie, Perez, Gouffran; Murphy.

Subs: Sels (gk), Hanley, Lazaar, Gamez, Diame, Ameobi, Mitrovic.

QPR (3-5-2): Smithies; Onuoha, Lynch, Perch; Furlong, Luongo, Wszolek, Manning, Bidwell; Washington, Mackie.

Subs: Ingram (gk), Freeman, Cousins, Goss, Doughty, Petrasso, Lualua.