Gini Wijnaldum DROPPED by Rafa Benitez, Ayoze Perez starts for Newcastle

Ayoze Perez starts in his place at St James’s Park (7.45pm kick-off) in one change.

Wijnaldum, signed last summer from Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, hasn’t scored since January.

Jonjo Shelvey is again on the bench along with fellow January signing Jonjo Shelvey.

Moussa Sissoko captains the team under Rafa Benitez for the second successive game.

Papiss Cisse keeps his place up front, with Aleksandar Mitrovic – who came off the bench to set up two goals against Swansea City on Saturday – again among the substitutes.

Second-bottom Newcastle can climb out of the Premier League’s relegation zone with a win.

Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero leads the line for Man City, who are captained by Vincent Kompany.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Darlow; Anita, Mbemba, Lascelles, Dummett; Tiote, Colback;Townsend, Sissoko, Perez; Cisse. Subs: Woodman, Saivet, Shelvey, Wijnaldum, Aarons, de Jong, Mitrovic.

MANCHESTER CITY: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov, Fernando, Delph, Navas, Toure, De Bruyne, Aguero. Subs: Caballero, Demichelis, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Sterling, Bony, Iheanacho.