PETER Ramage and Steven Taylor will form the heart of Newcastle's backline as Glenn Roeder attempts to guide his side into the last eight of the Carling Cup at Watford this evening.

Roeder has dropped both Titus Bramble and Craig Moore from the side that lost at home to Sheffield United at the weekend.

Emre also replaces Nicky Butt at the heart of midfield, while Antoine Sibierski partners on-loan Manchester United striker Guiseppe Rossi in attack.

There was drama before kick-off, however, when third-choice goalkeeper Tim Krul, the hero of last week's UEFA Cup win in Palermo, was stretchered from the field during the pre-match warm-up.