DWIGHT GAYLE returns to Newcastle United's starting line-up for this afternoon's Championship home game with Fulham.

The striker has come off the bench in the Magpies' last two matches against Huddersfield and Reading, having missed the best part of two months because of a recurring hamstring problem.

Today's start will only be Gayle's second since mid-January, with Daryl Murphy dropping to the bench alongside Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Rafael Benitez is celebrating his first anniversary as Newcastle manager this afternoon, and has made four changes as he looks to extract revenge for his side's opening-weekend defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Vurnon Anita replaces Jesus Gamez at right-back, while Christian Atsu starts on the flank in place of Yoan Gouffran.

The final alteration sees Mo Diame start in the hole behind Gayle, with Ayoze Perez dropping to the substitutes' bench.

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

Subs: Elliot (gk), Hanley, Gamez, Gouffran, Perez, Murphy, Mitrovic.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Button; Odoi, Kalas, Ream Malone; Johansen, McDonald; Aluko, Cairney, Sessegnon; Kebano.

Subs: Bettinelli (gk), Fredericks, Parker, Cyriac, Madl, Sigurdsson, Martin.