Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez recalled by Rafa Benitez

Striker Mitrovic and forward Perez started last weekend's game against Norwich City on the bench.

But the pair came off the bench at Carrow Road, where Mitrovic netted twice in a 3-2 defeat.

And they will line up against Southampton at the St Mary's Stadium this afternoon (3pm kick-off).

Striker Papiss Cisse and midfielder Cheick Tiote drop down to the bench, while Vurnon Anita contines as a makeshift left-back.

Fit-again winger Gabriel Obertan, sidelined since September, is among the substitutes.

Rafa Benitez's relegation-threatened United side are 19th in the Premier League and six points adrift of safety.

Newcastle have conceded 10 goals, and failed to score themselves, in their last three visits to the St Mary's Stadium.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Darlow; Janmaat, Taylor, Mbemba, Anita; Townsend, Shelvey, Wijnaldum, Sissoko; Perez; Mitrovic. Subs: Woodman, Dummett, Lascelles, Tiote, Obertan , de Jong, Cisse.

SOUTHAMPTON: Forster, Martina, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand, Wanyama, Clasie, Tadic, Mane, Long, Pelle. Subs: Stekelenburg, Cedric, Yoshida, Rodriguez, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Austin.