Newcastle v Cardiff: Strong Cup Side

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

At St. James' Park

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has named a strong side for the Magpies' FA Cup third round tie against Cardiff at St. James' Park (3pm kick-off).

There are seven changes from New Year's Day's defeat at West Brom, but it still includes seven full internationals from the off.

Four of those changes are enforced, with Mathieu Debuchy suspended and Yohan Cabaye, Tim Krul and Fabricio Coloccini all injured, while Mike Williamson, Loic Remy and Shola Ameobi also drop out.

Coming in are Rob Elliot, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Massadio Haidara, Vurnon Anita, Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse.

United will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Elliot protected by a back four of Davide Santon, Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa and Haidara.

Captain-for-the-afternoon Cheick Tiote will patrol the engine room alongside Anita, with a trio of Ben Arfa, Moussa Sissoko and Yoan Gouffran just ahead of them.

And Cisse will lead the line on his own as he looks for his third goal of the season in all competitions.

On the substitutes' bench there are places for Williamson, Shola Ameobi and Remy, and they are joined by Sammy Ameobi, Gabriel Obertan, Paul Dummett and Jak Alnwick.

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Rob Elliot; Davide Santon, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Massadio Haidara; Cheick Tiote (c), Vurnon Anita; Hatem Ben Arfa, Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran; Papiss Cisse

Substitutes: Jak Alnwick, Paul Dummett, Mike Williamson, Sammy Ameobi, Gabriel Obertan, Shola Ameobi, Loic Remy

Cardiff (4-4-2): David Marshall; Kevin McNaughton, Mark Hudson (c), Ben Turner, Declan John; Don Cowie, Aron Gunnarsson, Kim Bo-Kyung, Peter Whittingham; Peter Odemwingie, Andreas Cornelius

Substitutes: Joe Lewis, John Brayford, Steven Caulker, Tommy Smith, Craig Noone, Craig Conway, Fraizer Campbell

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Manchester)