Florian Lejeune will make his first start for Newcastle United since suffering a serious knee injury in April when the Magpies welcome Crystal Palace to St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).
The Frenchman ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament injury during the 1-0 defeat to Palace last term but eight months on and having worked his way back to full fitness, he will make his return to action against Roy Hodgson’s men, lining up as part of United’s central defensive trio.
Lejeune’s inclusion is one of three changes made by head coach Steve Bruce following the 1-0 loss at Burnley last time out, with Jonjo Shelvey and Miguel Almirón both back in the side after recovering from the injuries which kept them out of the game at Turf Moor.
Martin Dúbravka starts in goal, with Javier Manquillo and Paul Dummett in the right and left wing-back roles respectively and Lejeune, Federico Fernández and Fabian Schär forming a back three.
Shelvey, who captains the team, comes in to resume his partnership with Isaac Hayden in central midfield.
And Andy Carroll will lead the line for Newcastle, supplemented by Almirón and Joelinton either side of him.
Dwight Gayle and Christian Atsu are attacking options among the substitutes, with Sean Longstaff and Matty Longstaff also on the bench along with DeAndre Yedlin, Emil Krafth and Karl Darlow.
Newcastle United: Martin Dúbravka; Javier Manquillo, Florian Lejeune, Federico Fernández, Fabian Schär, Paul Dummett; Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden; Miguel Almirón, Andy Carroll, Joelinton.
Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Emil Krafth, DeAndre Yedlin, Matty Longstaff, Sean Longstaff, Christian Atsu, Dwight Gayle.