Newcastle v Norwich: Trio Of Changes

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Papiss Cisse returns to the starting line-up as Newcastle United entertain Norwich City at the Sports Direct Arena this afternoon (4pm kick-off).

After being an unused substitute in the defeat at Arsenal on Monday night, Cisse is back up front alongside fellow Senegal internationl Demba Ba, and that is one of three changes from the Magpies' last outing.

Also involved against Norwich are midfielder Danny Guthrie and utility man James Perch, with those making way today being Davide Santon, Cheick Tiote and Gabriel Obertan.

The changes in personnel are expected to see United line-up slightly differently from normal, with Jonas Gutierrez dropping back into a left-back role.

Perch should play alongside Guthrie in the middle of the park, with Yohan Cabaye asked to take up a spot on the left flank, but tucking inside, while Hatem Ben Arfa will continue on the right wing.

On the substitutes' bench there is a place for 20-year-old Ryan Donaldson, who impressed for the Reserves on Thursday and he is joined by fellow youngsters Mehdi Abeid and Dan Gosling.

Norwich make four changes from last Sunday's draw with Wigan, as Grant Holt, Simeon Jackson, Wes Hoolahan and Andrew Crofts are replaced by Anthony Pilkington, Elliott Bennett, Steve Morison and Jonny Howson.

Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Jonas Gutierrez; Hatem Ben Arfa, Danny Guthrie, James Perch, Yohan Cabaye; Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse

Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Davide Santon, Mehdi Abeid, Dan Gosling, Haris Vuckic, Ryan Donaldson, Shola Ameobi

Norwich City (4-5-1): John Ruddy; Kyle Naughton, Elliott Ward (c), Zak Whitbread, Adam Drury; Anthony Pilkington, Andrew Surman, David Fox, Jonny Howson, Elliott Bennett; Steve Morison

Substitutes: Jed Steer, Russell Martin, Andrew Crofts, Bradley Johnson, Wes Hoolahan, Simeon Jackson, Grant Holt