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Swansea v Newcastle: Mapou's Full League Bow
Written by Newcastle Utd
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa will make his full Premier League debut as Newcastle travel to Swansea on Saturday
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa will make his full Barclays Premier League debut as Newcastle United travel to Swansea City on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).
The French international centre-back, who arrived in January from Montpellier, has made three top flight substitute appearances to date, but is in from the start at the Liberty Stadium in place of Club captain Fabricio Coloccini, who misses out with a back injury.
That is the only change from the Magpies' 4-2 victory over Southampton last Sunday.
It means Rob Elliot continues in goal in the absence of regular stopper Tim Krul. He is protected by a back four of Mathieu Debuchy, Steven Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa and Davide Santon.
Anchoring United's midfield will be Cheick Tiote and captain-for-the-day Yohan Cabaye, allowing the attack-minded trio of Jonas Gutierrez, Moussa Sissoko and Yoan Gouffran to supply Senegalese striker Papiss Cisse.
Manager Alan Pardew has named a strong substitutes' bench, with the likes of Sylvain Marveaux, Gabriel Obertan and Shola Ameobi all featuring, alongside Massadio Haidara, James Perch and Vurnon Anita.
Fresh from winning the Capital One Cup last weekend, Swansea name ex-Magpie Wayne Routledge in their starting line-up and he will play just behind hot-shot Michu, who is closing in on 20 goals in his debut Premier League season.
Swansea City (4-2-3-1): Michel Vorm; Angel Rangel, Gary Monk (c), Ashley Williams, Ben Davies; Leon Britton, Jonathan De Guzman; Pablo Hernandez, Nathan Dyer, Wayne Routledge; Michu
Substitutes: Gerhard Tremmel, Dwight Tiendalli, Kyle Bartley, Ki Sung-Yueng, Roland Lamah, Itay Shechter, Luke Moore
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Rob Elliot; Mathieu Debuchy, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Davide Santon; CheiJck Tiote, Yohan Cabaye (c); Jonas Gutierrez, Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran; Papiss Cisse
Substitutes: Jak Alnwick, Massadio Haidara, James Perch, Vurnon Anita, Sylvain Marveaux, Gabriel Obertan, Shola Ameobi
Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)
