Chelsea v Newcastle: Perch In At Right-Back

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

James Perch will start at right-back for Newcastle United as they travel to Chelsea in the Premier League tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

The versatile former Nottingham Forest man replaces Danny Simpson, who was forced off with an ankle knock on Saturday at Wigan, and that is the only Magpies' change from that 4-0 reversal at the DW Stadium.

Perch will slot into a back four alongside Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini and Davide Santon, with Cheick Tiote and Jonas Gutierrez sitting just ahead to anchor the midfield.

And the attack-minded trio of Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye and Demba Ba will be given the licence to get forward and support 11-goal lone front man Papiss Cisse.

There is couple of surprise inclusions on the United bench in the shape of wingers Gabriel Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux. The pair have recently been ruled out by respective ankle and groin injuries - with Marveaux out of action since last November - but will be among the replacements and provide pace and trickery in wide areas.

Chelsea make six changes from their thumping of Queens Park Rangers on Sunday. Only goalkeeper Petr Cech, defenders Jose Bosingwa and John Terry, and forwards Daniel Sturridge and Fernando Torres keep their places.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Petr Cech; Jose Bosingwa, Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry (c), Ryan Bertrand; John Obi Mikel, Raul Meireles; Ramires, Florent Malouda, Daniel Sturridge; Fernando Torres

Substitutes: Ross Turnbull, Ashley Cole, Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Juan Mata, Salomon Kalou, Didier Drogba

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Tim Krul; James Perch, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon: Cheick Tiote, Jonas Gutierrez; Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba; Papiss Cisse

Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Shane Ferguson, Ryan Taylor, Dan Gosling, Gabriel Obertan, Sylvain Marveaux, Shola Ameobi