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Team news: Diamé and Shelvey start, young duo on bench
Written by Rory Mitchinson
Mohamed Diamé and Jonjo Shelvey return to Newcastle United’s starting line-up as the Magpies close their 2018/19 campaign against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The pair were both unused substitutes for last week’s 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at St. James’ Park, but can be expected to line up together in the centre of the pitch against the Cottagers.
Otherwise, United are unchanged, with Isaac Hayden set to drop in at right back in the absence of Javier Manquillo. Fabian Schär, Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie make up the rest of the backline, from right to left.
With Miguel Almirón still sidelined, Christian Atsu joins Ayoze Pérez and Salomón Rondón in Newcastle’s three-pronged attack.
On the bench, there are places for Lewis Cass and Kelland Watts, both part of the Magpies’ Under-23s side who remain in contention for promotion from the Premier League 2 Division Two.
Full back Cass has played 28 times in all competitions for Ben Dawson’s side, while utility player Watts has been a virtual ever-present – finding the net six times, too.
Newcastle United: Martin Dúbravka, Isaac Hayden, Fabian Schär, Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie, Mohamed Diamé, Jonjo Shelvey, Ayoze Pérez, Christian Atsu, Salomón Rondón.
Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Lewis Cass, Federico Fernández, Ciaran Clark, Kelland Watts, Kenedy, Yoshinori Muto.