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Team news: Tonali starts at St. James' Park
Sandro Tonali will make his first appearance at St. James' Park when Newcastle United take on Fiorentina in the Sela Cup, presented by VisitMalta, on Saturday (3:30pm kick-off).
The summer signing starts in midfield for the Magpies in their first fixture in the tournament, which sees Eddie Howe's men take on the Italian outfit before Sunday's clash with Villarreal.
Howe is expected to hand minutes to most of his first team squad across the weekend as they wrap up their preparations for the 2023/24 campaign, with former AC Milan midfielder Tonali the first of United's two recent recruits - Harvey Barnes is the other - to make his bow on home turf.
Martin Dúbravka starts in goal, with Kieran Trippier, Alex Murphy, Sven Botman and Matt Targett forming a back four and Tonali anchoring a midfield three alongside Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley.
Further forward, Miguel Almirón and Anthony Gordon line up on the flanks, looking to provide the service for centre forward Alexander Isak.
Head coach Howe has named a youthful bench, with Mark Gillespie comfortably the most experienced player among the substitutes. Another goalkeeper, Jude Smith, is also named, along with Remi Savage, Charlie McArthur and Jordan Hackett.
Nathan Carlyon, Jamie Miley, Lucas De Bolle, James Huntley and Jay Turner-Cooke provide backup in midfield, while Ben Parkinson, Amadou Diallo and Michael Ndiweni are the attacking reinforcements.
Newcastle United: Martin Dúbravka; Kieran Trippier, Alex Murphy, Sven Botman, Matt Targett; Lewis Miley, Sandro Tonali, Elliot Anderson; Miguel Almirón, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon.
Substitutes: Mark Gillespie, Jude Smith, Remi Savage, Charlie McArthur, Jordan Hackett, Nathan Carlyon, Jamie Miley, Lucas De Bolle, James Huntley, Jay Turner-Cooke, Ben Parkinson, Amadou Diallo, Michael Ndiweni.