Newcastle skipper Kevin Nolan has been forced to sit out this afternoon’s Premier League clash with Chelsea because of an ankle injury.
Nolan has been replaced by Wayne Routledge, while Sol Campbell made his first league start for the club and Steven Taylor plays in his first competitive game since January in place of the suspended Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson.
There is a return from suspension for Cheik Tiote in place of Alan Smith, while Shola Ameobi takes over the captain’s armband.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has made only one change to the side beaten 1-0 at Birmingham last weekend with Jose Bosingwa replacing Paulo Ferreira.
Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Guthrie, Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi.
Subs: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Perch, Smith, Best, Kadar, Ranger.
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Ivanovic, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba, Kalou.
Subs: Turnbull, Ferreira, Sturridge, Van Aanholt, Bruma, Kakuta, McEachran.
Referee: Andre Marriner.