Henri Saivet handed start as Rafa Benitez names surprise Newcastle starting XI

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.