RAFAEL BENITEZ has sprung a selection surprise by choosing Yoan Gouffran to lead the Newcastle line in this evening's Championship game at league leaders Brighton.
With Dwight Gayle still nursing a hamstring injury, Gouffran will start as a lone striker despite having spent the vast majority of the season playing in a wide left role.
The Frenchman has been preferred to both Aleksandar Mitrovic and Daryl Murphy, with the attacking duo named amongst the substitutes.
Gouffran replaces Mitrovic from the side that drew 2-2 with Bristol City last weekend, with Benitez's other change seeing Mo Diame return to the starting line-up in place of Ayoze Perez.
DeAndre Yedlin retains his place at right-back, with a fit-again Vurnon Anita once again named on the substitutes' bench.
BRIGHTON (4-4-2): Stockdale; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Pocognoli; Knockaert, Stephens, Sidwell, Murphy; Baldock, Murray.
Subs: Walton (gk), Huenemeier, Tomori, Kayal, March, Hemed, Akpom.
NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Shelvey, Colback; Ritchie, Diame, Atsu; Gouffran.
Subs: Elliot (gk), Hanley, Anita, Gamez, Perez, Murphy, Mitrovic
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