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Nottingham Forest v Newcastle: Ben Arfa Returns
Written by Newcastle Utd
Hatem Ben Arfa returns from injury for Newcastle's Carling Cup clash at Nottingham Forest as one of nine changes
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Journalist
Newcastle United have made nine changes to their starting line-up for tonight's Carling Cup third round clash at Nottingham Forest.
The only survivors from Saturday's 1-1 draw at Aston Villa are defenders Danny Simpson and Fabricio Coloccini, as manager Alan Pardew shuffles his pack for the competition.
Hatem Ben Arfa is in the starting line-up for his first competitive action since breaking his leg at Manchester City last October, and the French international is expected to be given an attacking role just off Peter Lovenkrands.
There are debuts for goalkeeper Rob Elliot, who arrived from Charlton at the end of August, and teenage midfielder Mehdi Abeid, while James Perch, Shane Ferguson, Danny Guthrie make their first appearances of the season.
Youngsters Jeff Henderson and Paul Dummett are on the substitutes' bench for the first time, and they are joined by the experience of Gabriel Obertan, Shola Ameobi and Leon Best.
Opponents Forest have named a strong starting line-up for the tie, but are only able to field six substitutes for the fixture.
Nottingham Forest (4-4-2): Lee Camp (c); Brendan Moloney, Wes Morgan, Joel Lynch, Chris Gunter; Robbie Findley, Jonathan Greening, Guy Moussi, Lewis McGugan; Marcus Tudgay, Matt Derbyshire
Substitutes: Paul Smith, Kieron Freeman, Patrick Bamford, Radoslaw Majewski, Andy Reid, Ishmael Miller
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Rob Elliot; Danny Simpson, James Perch, Fabricio Coloccini, Shane Ferguson; Mehdi Abeid, Danny Guthrie; Dan Gosling, Hatem Ben Arfa, Sylvain Marveaux; Peter Lovenkrands
Substitutes: Tim Krul, Jeff Henderson, Paul Dummett, Gabriel Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi, Leon Best