Aleksandar Mitrovic left OUT of Newcastle's matchday squad for Blackburn

Benitez's side take on Blackburn Rovers in a Championship fixture (3pm kick-off).

United's manager has left striker Mitrovic behind on Tyneside and instead brought Daryl Murphy with him to Lancashire.

Murphy is on the bench for the Championship leaders.

Vurnon Anita, Yoan Gouffran and Mohamed Diame have been recalled to Benitez's starting XI.

Ayoze Perez, DeAndre Yedlin and Christian Atsu drop down to the bench.

Newcastle are a point ahead of second-placed Brighton and Hove Albion in the league table.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Darlow; Anita, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Hayden, Colback; Ritchie, Diame, Gouffran; Gayle. Subs: Sels, Yedlin, Lazaar, Mbemba, Atsu, Perez, Murphy.

For news and updates from Ewood Park, follow NUFC writer Miles Starforth on Twitter here