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Stoke v Newcastle: Two Changes
Written by Newcastle Utd
Captain Fabricio Coloccini and James Perch are back in the starting line-up as Newcastle take on Stoke City
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has made two changes to his starting line-up for Wednesday night's Premier League fixture at Stoke City (7.45pm kick-off).
Captain Fabricio Coloccini returns after completing a three-game suspension, while James Perch is also back in at the Britannia Stadium.
The duo replace Shane Ferguson, who is on the substitutes' bench, and hamstring-injury victim Steven Taylor.
The Magpies will line-up in a 4-4-2 formation, with goalkeeper Tim Krul protected by a back four of Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Coloccini and Davide Santon.
Perch will join Cheick Tiote in the middle of the park, meaning Vurnon Anita will move out to the right and Jonas Gutierrez switches to the left flank.
And Senegalese duo Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse will be hoping for a repeat of their goalscoring actions against Stoke last season. Ba netted a hat-trick in this fixture in a 3-1 win for the Magpies, while Cisse was on target as United triumphed 3-0 on Tyneside.
A youthful-looking bench includes James Tavernier, Gael Bigirimana, Sammy Ameobi and Nile Ranger, while Sylvain Marveaux offers an added attacking option.
Stoke City (4-5-1): Asmir Begovic; Ryan Shotton, Ryan Shawcross (c), Robert Huth, Geoff Cameron; Jonathan Walters, Glenn Whelan, Steven Nzonzi, Charlie Adam, Matthew Etherington; Peter Crouch
Substitutes: Thomas Sorensen, Matt Upson, Wilson Palacios, Michael Kightly, Cameron Jerome, Kenwyne Jones
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Vurnon Anita, Cheick Tiote, James Perch, Jonas Gutierrez; Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba
Substitutes: Rob Elliot, James Tavernier, Shane Ferguson, Gael Bigirimana, Sylvain Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi, Nile Ranger
Referee: Howard Webb (Yorkshire)