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Preston V Newcastle: Mitro And Mo Start
Written by Tom Easterby
Having scored two goals each against the same opposition in Tuesday night's EFL Cup win, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Mo Diame will both start for Newcastle United in their Sky Bet Championship clash at Preston North End on Saturday.
Serbian frontman Mitrovic, who impressed in the 6-0 midweek win, will lead the line for Rafa Benitez's men, with Diame - fresh from grabbing his first goals in United colours - just behind him in an advanced midfield role.
Benitez has made five changes to the team that started that emphatic win over the Lilywhites four days ago, with goalkeeper Karl Darlow returning in place Matz Sels.
DeAndre Yedlin continues at right back, with captain Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark coming back in at centre half, with Paul Dummett on the left side of defence.
Isaac Hayden partners Jonjo Shelvey in the middle of the park, with Matt Ritchie on the right flank and Yoan Gouffran on the left.
Three starters from Tuesday night - Sels, Grant Hanley and Christian Atsu - are among the substitutes at Deepdale, along with Achraf Lazaar, Vurnon Anita and Jesus Gamez - back from injury - making up the rest of the bench.
Newcastle United (4-4-1-1): Karl Darlow; DeAndre Yedlin, Jamaal Lascelles (c), Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett; Matt Ritchie, Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey, Yoan Gouffran; Mohamed Diame; Aleksandar Mitrovic
Substitutes: Matz Sels, Jesus Gamez, Vurnon Anita, Grant Hanley, Achraf Lazaar, Christian Atsu, Ayoze Perez
Preston North End (4-4-2): Chris Maxwell; Alex Baptiste, Tom Clarke (c), Bailey Wright, Greg Cunningham; Paul Gallagher, Ben Pearson, Daniel Johnson, Ben Pringle; Callum Robinson, Jordan Hugill
Substitutes: Anders Lindegaard, Tommy Spurr, Paul Huntington, Marnick Vermijl, Eoin Doyle, Jermaine Beckford, Simon Makienok