Newcastle v QPR: Three Changes For Rangers Clash

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Danny Guthrie is one of three changes to Newcastle United's starting line-up as they entertain Queens Park Rangers at the Sports Direct Arena (1.30pm kick-off).

The former Liverpool man will start in the middle of the park alongside Yohan Cabaye, and comes in for teenager Mehdi Abeid, who drops down to the bench.

Guthrie has missed the last seven matches with a groin injury, but was back in training this week and is straight into the heart of the side.

The other changes from last weekend's FA Cup victory over Blackburn see Ryan Taylor and Shola Ameobi replace Gabriel Obertan and Hatem Ben Arfa respectively, with those two also among the replacements.

It is a side which is very similar to the one that comprehensively beat Manchester United earlier this month, and manager Alan Pardew will be hoping for a similar result and performance from his troops.

QPR face a midfield crisis in boss Mark Hughes' first game in charge. Former Magpie Joey Barton is suspended, Alejandro Faurlin is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury and playmaker Adel Taarabt is away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

So Akos Buzsaky partners Shaun Derry in the middle, while Jay Bothroyd is up top alongside leading scorer and ex-Watford star Heidar Helguson.

Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Ryan Taylor, Danny Guthrie, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez; Shola Ameobi, Leon Best

Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Shane Ferguson, James Perch, Dan Gosling, Mehdi Abeid, Gabriel Obertan, Hatem Ben Arfa

Queens Park Rangers (4-4-2): Paddy Kenny; Luke Young, Danny Gabbidon, Anton Ferdinand, Clint Hill; Shaun Wright-Phillips, Shaun Derry, Akos Buzsaky, Jamie Mackie; Heidar Helguson, Jay Bothroyd

Substitutes: Radek Cerny, Bradley Orr, Fitz Hall, Hogan Ephraim, Tommy Smith, DJ Campbell, Federico Macheda