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Team news: Sean starts at St. James'
Written by Rory Mitchinson
Sean Longstaff makes his first Newcastle United appearance at St. James’ Park as Rafa Benítez shuffles his pack for this evening’s FA Cup Third Round clash against Blackburn Rovers.
Longstaff made his Magpies debut in August’s Carabao Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, and came off the bench to make his Premier League bow against Liverpool at Anfield on Boxing Day.
Tonight, he will join Isaac Hayden in the middle of the park – one of just three players retained from the side who started Wednesday’s 2-0 loss to Manchester United.
Freddie Woodman comes in for just his second Newcastle appearance, replacing Martin Dúbravka in goal. Neither Dúbravka, Karl Darlow nor Rob Elliot figure on the bench, with young ‘keeper Nathan Harker serving as Woodman’s deputy.
Jamie Sterry returns to the Magpies’ backline for the first time since their Carabao Cup exit, with Florian Lejeune making a first competitive appearance of the season. Fabian Schär and Javier Manquillo also feature in a four-man defence.
Out wide, there is just a fourth start of the season for Jacob Murphy, with Kenedy also coming back into the XI. Matt Ritchie – another player to keep his place from midweek – is likely to start just off lone frontman Joselu.
A strong-looking bench includes Salomón Rondón – United’s leading goalscorer this season – as well as Jonjo Shelvey, Christian Atsu and Ayoze Pérez.
Newcastle United: Freddie Woodman, Jamie Sterry, Fabian Schär, Florian Lejeune, Javier Manquillo, Jacob Murphy, Isaac Hayden, Sean Longstaff, Kenedy, Matt Ritchie, Joselu.
Substitutes: Nathan Harker, DeAndre Yedlin, Ciaran Clark, Jonjo Shelvey, Christian Atsu, Ayoze Pérez, Salomón Rondón.