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Newcastle v Bordeaux: Cabaye And Simpson In
Written by Newcastle Utd
Yohan Cabaye and Danny Simpson return to the Newcastle starting line-up for their Europa League Group D tie against Bordeaux
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Yohan Cabaye and Danny Simpson return to the Newcastle United starting line-up for Thursday night's Europa League Group D home game against Bordeaux (8.05pm kick-off).
The duo have been sidelined by respective wisdom teeth and hamstring problems, but are back to fitness and have been selected by manager Alan Pardew for the tie at the Sports Direct Arena.
They are two of seven changes from the side that began last Saturday's draw at Reading. Also stepping into the team are goalkeeper Rob Elliot, defender Shane Ferguson, midfielders Vurnon Anita and Gabriel Obertan, and striker Shola Ameobi - who will captain the Magpies.
United will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Elliot behind a back four of Simpson, Mike Williamson, James Perch and Ferguson.
A three-man central midfield of Anita, Cabaye and Cheick Tiote will provide both steel and creativity, and Pardew will be hoping that the front trio of Papiss Cisse, Ameobi and former Bordeaux man Obertan cause the visitors plenty of problems in the final third.
On the substitutes' bench, Newcastle's attacking replacements come in the shape of Hatem Ben Arfa, Sammy Ameobi and six-goal leading scorer Demba Ba.
Newcastle United (4-3-3): Rob Elliot; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, James Perch, Shane Ferguson; Vurnon Anita, Cheick Tiote, Yohan Cabaye; Papiss Cisse, Shola Ameobi (c), Gabriel Obertan
Substitutes: Steve Harper, Davide Santon, Gael Bigirimana, Dan Gosling, Hatem Ben Arfa, Sammy Ameobi, Demba Ba
Bordeaux (4-4-2): Cedric Carrasso; Mariano, Henrique, Marc Planus, Benoit Tremoulinas; Henri Saivet, Ludovic Sane, Jaroslav Plasil (c), Ludovic Obraniak; Jussie, Yoan Gouffran
Substitutes: Kevin Olimpa, Florian Marange, Matthieu Chalme, Abdou Traore, Landry N'Guemo, David Bellion, Cheick Diabate
Keep in touch with all the action from tonight's Europa League fixture right here at nufc.co.uk with live updates, along with half-time and full-time reports