Fulham v Newcastle: Ben Arfa In At The Cottage

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Hatem Ben Arfa has been recalled to the Newcastle United starting line-up as they face Fulham at Craven Cottage this afternoon (3pm kick-off).

After some impressive performances from the bench, and a wonder goal in the FA Cup against Blackburn, the French international is rewarded with his fourth Premier League start of the season.

Ben Arfa comes in for Ryan Taylor - who drops down to the bench - and should line-up on the right hand side of midfield, with that being the only change from the Magpies' 1-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers last weekend.

It means midfielder Yohan Cabaye has been passed fit to start, despite being stretchered off early on against the R's with an ankle injury. He will once again partner Danny Guthrie in the middle of the park, with Shola Ameobi and Leon Best providing United's goal threat up top.

Among the substitutes is fit-again striker Peter Lovenkrands, and he is joined by youngster Shane Ferguson and winger Gabriel Obertan among others.

The hosts are without playmaker Mousa Dembele, while Steve Sidwell is back in the starting line-up. And there is a familiar face for Magpies face in the shape of former winger Damien Duff, who scored the only goal in this fixture last season.

Fulham (4-3-3): David Stockdale; Stephen Kelly, Brede Hangeland, Philippe Senderos, John Arne Riise; Steve Sidwell, Danny Murphy (c), Clint Dempsey; Damien Duff, Bobby Zamora, Bryan Ruiz

Substitutes: Neil Etheridge, Matthew Briggs, Chris Baird, Aaron Hughes, Kerim Frei, Marcel Gecov, Andrew Johnson

Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon; Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Danny Guthrie, Jonas Gutierrez; Leon Best, Shola Ameobi

Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Shane Ferguson, James Perch, Ryan Taylor, Dan Gosling, Gabriel Obertan, Peter Lovenkrands