Newcastle v Crystal Palace: Gini Starts

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

At St. James' Park

Georginio Wijnaldum returns to the Newcastle United starting line-up for Saturday's Barclays Premier League home fixture against Crystal Palace (3pm kick-off).

The Magpies' nine-goal leading scorer has been on the substitutes' bench for the last two games, but boss Rafa Benitez has decided to call upon the services of the Dutch international midfielder for the visit of the Eagles.

Wijnaldum replaces Ayoze Perez in United's team and that is the only change from last weekend's impressive 2-2 draw at Liverpool, which saw them come from two down to secure a point.

Newcastle are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with goalkeeper Karl Darlow behind a back four of Vurnon Anita, Chancel Mbemba, Jamaal Lascelles and Paul Dummett.

Cheick Tiote and Jack Colback will anchor the hosts' midfield, with a trio of Andros Townsend, Wijnaldum and stand-in captain Moussa Sissoko ahead of them.

And they will be tasked with supplying the ammunition for Papiss Cisse, who has three goals to his name this season, including the Magpies' first at Anfield seven days ago.

Joining Perez on the bench are Aleksandar Mitrovic, Siem de Jong, Jonjo Shelvey, Steven Taylor, Kevin Mbabu and Freddie Woodman.

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Karl Darlow; Vurnon Anita, Chancel Mbemba, Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett; Cheick Tiote, Jack Colback; Andros Townsend, Georginio Wijnaldum, Moussa Sissoko (c); Papiss Cisse

Substitutes: Freddie Woodman, Kevin Mbabu, Steven Taylor, Jonjo Shelvey, Siem de Jong, Ayoze Perez, Aleksandar Mitrovic

Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Wayne Hennessey; Joel Ward, Scott Dann, Damien Delaney, Pape Souare; Mile Jedinak (c), James McArthur; Jason Puncheon, Yohan Cabaye, Yannick Bolasie; Connor Wickham

Substitutes: Alex McCarthy, Adrian Mariappa, Martin Kelly, Joe Ledley, Bakary Sako, Dwight Gayle, Emmanuel Adebayor

Referee: Mike Dean (The Wirral)