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Newcastle v Metalist Kharkiv: Mapou Starts
Written by Newcastle Utd
January signing Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa will make his full debut for Newcastle against Metalist Kharkiv this evening
By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa will make his full debut for Newcastle United in tonight's Europa League round of 32 first leg clash against Metalist Kharkiv (kick-off 8.05pm).
The French defender, signed from Montpellier last month, starts for the first time in a strong Magpies line-up which reflects how seriously Alan Pardew is taking the competition.
He will play at right-back with Davide Santon on the left and Steven Taylor partnering skipper Fabricio Coloccini in the centre of defence.
Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye will play in midfield with Gabriel Obertan, Jonas Gutierrez and Moussa Sissoko providing support for main striker Papiss Cisse. Tim Krul is in goal.
Yanga-Mbiwa may not be the only debutant as fellow new boy Massadio Haidara is on the bench. He is joined by Rob Elliot, Danny Simpson, Vurnon Anita, James Perch, Sylvain Marveaux and Shola Ameobi.
Mathieu Debuchy and Yoan Gouffran are both ineligible for the competition while James Perch is the other player missing from the starting XI for the last Barclays Premier League game at Tottenham.
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Tim Krul; Mapou Yanga Mbiwa, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Cheick Tiote, Yohan Cabaye; Gabriel Obertan, Moussa Sissoko, Jonas Gutierrez; Papiss Cisse
Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Danny Simpson, Massadio Haidara, James Perch, Vurnon Anita, Sylvain Marveaux, Shola Ameobi
Metalist (4-2-3-1): Olexandr Goryainov; Cristian Villagra, Papa Gueye, Marco Torsiglieri, Fininho; Edmar, Juan Manuel Torres; Marlos, Cleiton Xavier, Jose Ernesto Sosa (c); Jonathan Cristaldo
Substitutes: Vladimir Disljenkovic, Andriy Berezovchuk, Oleg Shelayev, Sebastian Blanco, Jaja, Oleg Krasnopyorov, Willian
Referee: Tom Harald Hagen (Norway)