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Manchester City v Newcastle: Simpson Starts
Written by Newcastle Utd
Alan Pardew makes four changes from the side which lost to Wigan, with ex-Manchester United pair Danny Simpson and Gabriel Obertan both starting
By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Salford lad Danny Simpson comes in from the cold for his first Barclays Premier League start since December for this afternoon's 3pm kick-off against Manchester City.
The boyhood Manchester United fan - who hasn't played in the league since the 7-3 defeat at Arsenal - comes in at right-back for the injured Mathieu Debuchy at the Etihad Stadium.
With Davide Santon and Massadio Haidara also ruled out, Jonas Gutierrez slots in at left-back with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Steven Taylor in the centre of defence in front of Rob Elliot.
There are also changes in midfield, with Cheick Tiote missing through injury and Sylvain Marveaux dropping to the bench, meaning Vurnon Anita, Yohan Cabaye will play as holding midfielders with Moussa Sissoko further forward.
Yoan Gouffran and ex-Man United man Gabriel Obertain will play on either side of him and Papiss Cisse will be the main striker.
On the bench, young defender Curtis Good is on standby to make his Magpies debut while Tim Krul is not yet considered fit enough to be in the squad. Steve Harper continues as the back-up goalkeeper with James Perch, Gael Bigirimana, Dan Gosling, Sylvain Marveaux and Adam Campbell the other options.
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Joe Hart; Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany (c), Joleon Lescott, Gael Clichy; Gareth Barry, Yaya Toure; David Silva, Samir Nasri, Carlos Tevez; Edin Dzeko
Substitutes: Costel Pantilmon, Kolo Toure, Aleksandar Kolarov, Javi Garcia, James Milner, Scott Sinclair, Sergio Aguero
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Rob Elliot; Danny Simpson, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Steven Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez; Vurnon Anita, Yohan Cabaye (c); Yoan Gouffran, Moussa Sissoko, Gabriel Obertan; Papiss Cisse
Substitutes: Steve Harper, Curtis Good, James Perch, Gael Bigirimana, Dan Gosling, Sylvain Marveaux, Adam Campbell
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)