Cheick Tiote and Aleksandar Mitrovic recalled, Henri Saivet and Ayoze Perez dropped

The pair start against West Bromwich Albion at St James's Park this afternoon (3pm kick-off).

Striker Mitrovic started Wednesday night's 3-0 Premier League defeat to Everton on the bench, while midfielder Tiote hasn't played in almost a month.

Tiote is back in head coach Steve McClaren's plans after a proposed £4million move to Shanghai Shenhua broke down.

Winger Andros Townsend, signed from Tottenham Hotspur for £12million last month, will make his home debut.

Defender Steven Taylor makes his first appearance since August, while winger Rolando, handed a start at left-back, makes his first home league start.

Newcastle are 18th in the table and two points adrift of safety.

Meanwhile, Saido Berahino, the subject of a failed £21million bid from West Brom last month, is on the visiting bench.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Elliot; Janmaat, Coloccini, Taylor, Aarons; Sissoko, Tiote, Shelvey, Townsend; Wijnaldum; Mitrovic. Subs: Darlow, Gibson, Barlaser, Williams, Saivet, Perez, Doumbia.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION: Foster; Olsson, Chester, Yacob, Gardner, Anichebe, McClean, McAuley, Fletcher, Dawson, Sandro. Subs: Myhill; Pocognoli, Lambert, Berahino, Pritchard, Sessegnon, Rondon.