Newcastle v Liverpool: Tiote Returns

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Cheick Tiote returns to the Newcastle United starting line-up for Saturday's Barclays Premier League home fixture against Liverpool (5.30pm kick-off).

The Ivorian enforcer missed last weekend's trip to West Bromwich Albion with a hamstring complaint, but is back in against the Reds as United's only change at St. James' Park.

Tiote comes in for Yoan Gouffran, who drops down to the substitutes' bench, and it means a slight reshuffle for the Magpies, starting in a 4-3-3 formation.

Goalkeeper Rob Elliot is protected by a back four of Mathieu Debuchy, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Massadio Haidara.

Tiote will join James Perch and stand-in skipper Yohan Cabaye in the middle of the park, supplying a front three of Moussa Sissoko, 13-goal Papiss Cisse and Jonas Gutierrez.

Joining Gouffran on the bench are Steve Harper, Mike Williamson, Dan Gosling, Vurnon Anita, Hatem Ben Arfa and Shola Ameobi.

It is also just a single change for the visitors, with Daniel Sturridge coming in to replace Luis Suarez, who starts a ten-game ban.

Liverpool include ex-Magpie Jose Enrique, along with former Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson and ex-Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing.

Newcastle United (4-3-3): Rob Elliot; Mathieu Debuchy, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Massadio Haidara; James Perch, Cheick Tiote, Yohan Cabaye (c); Moussa Sissoko, Papiss Cisse, Jonas Gutierrez

Substitutes: Steve Harper, Mike Williamson, Dan Gosling, Vurnon Anita, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yoan Gouffran, Shola Ameobi

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Jose Reina; Glen Johnson, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique; Lucas, Steven Gerrard (c); Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho; Daniel Sturridge

Substitutes: Brad Jones, Andre Wisdom, Sebastian Coates, Martin Skrtel, Jonjo Shelvey, Suso, Fabio Borini

Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)