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Team news: Gamez back in the side
Written by Rory Mitchinson
Jesus Gamez makes his first Sky Bet Championship start since November as Newcastle United take on Reading at the Madejski Stadium tonight.
It is the Spaniard’s first appearance of any sort since the Magpies’ 3-0 FA Cup defeat at Oxford United in January, as boss Rafa Benitez makes three changes to his starting XI.
Vurnon Anita makes way for Gamez, with Christian Atsu and Mohamed Diame also dropping out of the side who overcame Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday.
Yoan Gouffran replaces Atsu on the wing, with Ayoze Perez coming in for Diame in the No. 10 position.
Daryl Murphy – who netted in the Magpies’ latest away victory – keeps his place up front, with leading goalscorer Dwight Gayle again on the bench.
Also named among the substitutes is Chancel Mbemba, who has not figured for Newcastle since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Newcastle United: Karl Darlow, Jesus Gamez, Ciaran Clark, Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett, Jack Colback, Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie, Ayoze Perez, Yoan Gouffran, Daryl Murphy.
Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Grant Hanley, Chancel Mbemba, Vurnon Anita, Mohamed Diame, Christian Atsu, Dwight Gayle.