Henri Saivet handed start as Rafa Benitez names surprise Newcastle starting XI
Henri Saivet has been handed a shock start against West Ham United.
The forgotten Newcastle United midfielder will make his first Premier League appearance of the season at the London Stadium this afternoon (3pm kick-off).
Saivet's only previous appearance this season came in the Carabao Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest in August.
The 27-year-old, signed from Bordeaux 18 months ago, spent last season on loan at Saint-Etienne.
Benitez, already without Aleksandar Mitrovic, mentioned a number of injury "problems" ahead of the fixture.
And Newcastle's manager is without Mikel Merino, Isaac Hayden and Florian Lejeune along with the suspended Jonjo Shelvey.
The 18th-placed club will take on West Ham looking to end a run of nine games without a win.
NEWCASTLE UNITED: Elliot; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Manquillo; Ritchie, Saivet, Diame, Atsu; Gayle, Joselu. Subs: Darlow, Dummett, Haidara, Mbemba, Murphy, Aarons, Perez.
WEST HAM UNITED: Adrian; Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Zabaleta; Kouyate, Obiang; Masuaku, Ayew, Arnautovic; Antonio.