Newcastle v Swansea: De Jong Starts

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Luuk de Jong returns to the Newcastle United starting line-up for Saturday's Barclays Premier League home fixture against Swansea City (3pm kick-off).

The Dutch international striker was an unused substitute as the Magpies lost at Stoke last weekend, but manager Alan Pardew has chosen to recall the on-loan Borussia Monchengladbach man for the visit of the Swans.

That is United's only change from the Britannia Stadium, with de Jong replacing defender Steven Taylor, and will mean a slight reshuffle for the hosts.

Newcastle are expected to line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with goalkeeper Tim Krul behind a back three of captain Fabricio Coloccini, Mike Williamson and Paul Dummett.

Vurnon Anita and Yoan Gouffran should take up wide roles on either flank, with Cheick Tiote and Dan Gosling patrolling the middle of the park.

And de Jong is expected to sit just in front of them, offering support to front pair Papiss Cisse and Shola Ameobi.

On the bench, there are places for 13-goal leading scorer Loic Remy and full-back Mathieu Debuchy, who both returned to full training earlier this week following seven-week lay-offs.

And the French duo are joined by Adam Armstrong, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Massadio Haidara and Rob Elliot.

Newcastle United (3-4-1-2): Tim Krul; Fabricio Coloccini (c), Mike Williamson, Paul Dummett; Vurnon Anita, Cheick Tiote, Dan Gosling, Yoan Gouffran; Luuk de Jong; Papiss Cisse, Shola Ameobi

Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Mathieu Debuchy, Massadio Haidara, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Steven Taylor, Adam Armstrong, Loic Remy

Swansea City (4-2-3-1): Michel Vorm; Angel Rangel, Jordi Amat, Ashley Williams (c), Ben Davies; Leon Britton, Jonathan de Guzman; Wayne Routledge, Jonjo Shelvey, Pablo Hernandez; Wilfried Bony

Substitutes: Gerhard Tremmel, Neil Taylor, Kyle Bartley, Jay Fulton, Nathan Dyer, Marvin Emnes, David Ngog

Referee: Chris Foy (Lancashire)