RAFAEL BENITEZ has made five changes to his Newcastle United line-up for this afternoon's Premier League game at Stoke City.

Javier Manquillo returns at left-back, with Paul Dummett dropping out of the side that started Saturday's goalless draw with Brighton.

There are two alterations in central midfield, with Isaac Hayden and Mikel Merino making way for Jonjo Shelvey and Mo Diame.

And, in the biggest surprise to his starting line-up, Benitez has dropped both Dwight Gayle and Joselu to the bench.

They are replaced by Ayoze Perez and Jacob Murphy, with the former expected to start as a lone striker.

That could mean Matt Ritchie filling the 'number ten' position, although Murphy could also be pushed infield from the flank.

STOKE (4-3-2-1): Butland; Edwards, Wimmer, Zouma, Pieters; Cameron, Allen, Adam; Shaqiri, Choupo-Moting; Crouch.

Subs: Grant (gk), Souttar, Ramadan, Ireland, Diouf, Fletcher, Berahino.

NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Yedlin, Clark, Lascelles, Manquillo; Shelvey, Diame; Murphy, Ritchie, Atsu; Perez.

Subs: Woodman (gk), Dummett, Haidara, Hayden, Merino, Gayle, Joselu.