RAFAEL BENITEZ has made three changes to his Newcastle United team for this afternoon's home game with Stoke City.

Two of the changes come in the back four, with DeAndre Yedlin and Chancel Mbemba coming into the side that won at Swansea City last weekend.

Yedlin replaces Javier Manquillo at right-back, with Mbemba set to line up at left-back in place of Jesus Gamez.

The other Newcastle change comes on the right of midfield, with Atsu replacing Jacob Murphy, who drops down to the bench.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes has made one change to his side, with Bruno Martins Indi preferred to Geoff Cameron in defence.

NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Elliot; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Mbemba; Hayden, Merino; Ritchie, Perez, Atsu; Joselu.

Subs: Woodman (gk), Manquillo, Lejeune, Shelvey, Murphy, Diame, Gayle.

STOKE (3-4-2-1): Butland; Zouma, Martins Indi, Wimmer; Diouf, Allen, Fletcher, Pieters; Jese, Shaqiri; Choupo-Moting.

Subs: Grant (gk), Johnson, Tymon, Adam, Sobhi, Berahino, Crouch.