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Benfica v Newcastle: Four Changes
Written by Newcastle Utd
There are four Newcastle changes as they face Benfica in the Europa League quarter-final
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
At the Estadio da Luz
Alan Pardew has made four changes to his Newcastle United starting line-up as they face Benfica in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final at the Estadio da Luz (8.05pm kick-off).
The Magpies suffered a 4-0 defeat at Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League last weekend, and the manager has rung the changes, recalling fit-again duo Tim Krul and Davide Santon, along with James Perch and Sylvain Marveaux.
Missing out are Rob Elliot, Vurnon Anita, Gabriel Obertan and Yoan Gouffran - the latter of who is ineligible to play in the Europa League.
United will set up in a familiar 4-2-3-1 formation with Dutch international stopper Krul protected by a back four of Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Santon.
Perch will partner stand-in captain Yohan Cabaye in the engine room to anchor the visitors' midfield, allowing a creative trio of Marveaux, Moussa Sissoko and Jonas Gutierrez to supply the ammunition for lone front man Papiss Cisse.
On the substitutes' bench there is a return for centre-back Mike Williamson, whose last outing came at the end of January.
And he is joined by Elliot, Anita, Obertan, Dan Gosling, Shola Ameobi and 18-year-old Adam Campbell.
Benfica (4-3-3): Artur; Andre Almeida, Luisao (c), Ezequiel Garay, Melgarejo; Nicolas Gaitan, Nemanja Matic, Andre Gomes; Rodrigo, Oscar Cardozo, Ola John
Substitutes: Paulo Lopes, Roderick, Maxi Pereira, Enzo Perez, Urreta, Pablo Aimar, Lima
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Davide Santon; James Perch, Yohan Cabaye (c); Sylvain Marveaux, Moussa Sissoko, Jonas Gutierrez; Papiss Cisse
Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Mike Williamson, Vurnon Anita, Dan Gosling, Gabriel Obertan, Shola Ameobi, Adam Campbell
Referee: Antony Gautier (France)