CHRIS Hughton will use today's final pre-season friendly at Rangers as a dress rehearsal for Newcastle's Premier League opener at Manchester United.

Hughton has named arguably his strongest starting XI, and provided there are no problems this afternoon, the same side is expected to line up at Old Trafford in nine days time.

Andy Carroll will start as a lone striker, with Kevin Nolan playing in the same attacking midfield position that served him so well last season.

Danny Guthrie partners Joey Barton at the heart of midfield, with Alan Smith not even named in the squad.

Fabricio Coloccini will play alongside Mike Williamson at the heart of defence, with James Perch and Jose Enrique filling the full-back berths.

RANGERS (4-4-2): McGregor; Papac, Weir, Bougherra, Naismith; Broadfoot, Davis, Edu, McCulloch; Miller, Whittaker.

Subs: Alexander (gk), Lafferty, Velicka, McMillan, Little, Shinnie, Wylde, Hutton, Campbell.

NEWCASTLE (4-5-1): Harper; Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Enrique; Routledge, Barton, Nolan, Guthrie, Gutierrez; Carroll.

Subs: Krul (gk), R Taylor, Tavernier, Ferguson, Xisco, Lovenkrands, Ameobi.