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Newcastle v SC Braga: Ba To Star
Written by Newcastle Utd
It's a whole new XI for Newcastle against SC Braga, including a start for last season's top scorer Demba Ba
By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Alan Pardew names an entirely different starting XI to the team which faced Olympiakos last night as United take on SC Braga at the Estadio Algarve this evening (kick-off 8.45pm).
That means Senegalese strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse both start against the Portuguese side, while skipper Fabricio Coloccini comes in to be partnered by young James Tavernier at the back.
A midfield of Sammy Ameobi and Sylvain Marveaux on the wings is bolstered in the centre by Jonas Gutierrez and Cheick Tiote, with the two African frontmen, Ba and Cisse, hoping to be the main goal threat.
Yohan Cabaye is amongst the substitutes and could make a cameo appearance after returning to training earlier this week after playing in the European Championships for France.
However, Dan Gosling is not included in the squad after picking up a slight hip injury last night.
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Steve Harper; Danny Simpson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), James Tavernier, Ryan Taylor; Sammy Ameobi, Cheick Tiote, Jonas Gutierrez, Sylvain Marveaux; Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba
Substitutes: Tim Krul, James Perch, Mike Williamson, Paul Dummett, Steven Taylor, Davide Santon, Yohan Cabaye, Gael Bigirimana, Haris Vuckic, Mehdi Abeid, Romain Amalfitano, Haris Vuckic, Shola Ameobi