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Watford v Newcastle: Saivet's Full Bow
Written by Newcastle Utd
Henri Saivet makes his full Newcastle debut as one of three changes to the Magpies' starting line-up
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
At Vicarage Road
Henri Saivet will make his full Newcastle United debut in Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash at Watford (3pm kick-off).
The Senegalese international midfielder arrived less than a fortnight ago from Bordeaux and stepped off the substitutes' bench last time out against West Ham, but has been handed a starting spot this weekend for the Magpies at Vicarage Road.
Saivet's inclusion is one of three changes for United from their victory over the Hammers.
Rolando Aarons starts a league game for the first time this season, while defender Jamaal Lascelles is also included in the line-up by head coach Steve McClaren.
The trio replace Ayoze Perez, who drops down to the bench, and Paul Dummett and Jack Colback, who are both injured.
Newcastle are expected to line up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Rob Elliot behind a back four of Daryl Janmaat, Lascelles, captain Fabricio Coloccini and Chancel Mbemba.
Saivet and fellow January signing Jonjo Shelvey will anchor the visitors' midfield, with Moussa Sissoko and Aarons taking up roles on either flank.
And in the final third, nine-goal leading scorer Georginio Wijnaldum will play just behind Serbian front man Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Joining Perez on the substitutes' bench there is a return for birthday boy Steven Taylor, 30, who has been sidelined since September with a hamstring injury.
There are also places for Emmanuel Riviere, Florian Thauvin, Yoan Gouffran, Sylvain Marveaux and Karl Darlow.
Watford (4-2-3-1): Heurelho Gomes; Juan Carlos Paredes, Miguel Britos, Craig Cathcart, Nathan Ake; Etienne Capoue, Ben Watson; Valon Behrami, Troy Deeney (c), Jose Manuel Jurado; Odion Igalho
Substitutes: Costel Pantilimon, Allan Nyom, Sebastian Prodl, Adlene Guedioura, Almen Abdi, Ikechi Anya, Nordin Amrabat
Newcastle United (4-4-1-1): Rob Elliot; Daryl Janmaat, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Chancel Mbemba; Moussa Sissoko, Henri Saivet, Jonjo Shelvey, Rolando Aarons; Georginio Wijnaldum; Aleksandar Mitrovic
Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Steven Taylor, Sylvain Marveaux, Yoan Gouffran, Florian Thauvin, Ayoze Perez, Emmanuel Riviere
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)