RAFAEL BENITEZ has named an unchanged Newcastle United starting line-up for this afternoon's home game with Huddersfield Town.

However, Islam Slimani could make his eagerly-awaited Magpies debut after being named on the substitutes' bench.

Slimani has been sidelined with a thigh injury since signing on loan from Leicester City on transfer-deadline day, but having played for 27 minutes of Algeria's friendly with Iran, the striker has been named in a match-day squad for the first time as a Newcastle player.

Dwight Gayle retains his place in the starting line-up, with Ayoze Perez continuing to play in the 'number ten' role.

Mo Diame will partner Jonjo Shelvey at the base of midfield, with Florian Lejeune once again selected to play alongside skipper Jamaal Lascelles at the heart of the back four.

NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Dubravka; Yedlin, Lejeune, Lascelles, Dummett; Shelvey, Diame; Ritchie, Perez, Kenedy; Gayle.

Subs: Darlow (gk), Clark, Manquillo, Murphy, Hayden, Atsu, Slimani.

HUDDERSFIELD (4-2-3-1): Lossl; Smith, Schindler, Jorgensen, Kongolo; van La Parra, Hogg; Kachunga, Mooy, Pritchard; Depoitre.

Subs: Coleman (gk), Malone, Billing, Ince, Hadergjonaj, Quaner, Mounie.