Jamaal Lascelles and Rolando Aarons start for Newcastle, Ayoze Perez surprisingly dropped

Rolando Aarons will make his long-awaited return from injury against Watford this afternoon.
Jonjo ShelveyJonjo Shelvey
Jonjo Shelvey

Jamaal Lascelles and Henri Saivet also come into Newcastle United's team at Vicarage Road (3pm kick-off).

Fit-again Steven Taylor is named on the bench along with Ayoze Perez, who has surprisingly been left out of the starting XI by head coach Steve McClaren.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Winger Aarons has been sidelined by a series of injuries since relegation-threatened Newcastle's home defeat to Watford in September.

And defender Lascelles, like Aarons, will make his first Premier League start for United 17 months after first joining the club from Nottingham Forest.

Midfielder Saivet will make his full debut alongside fellow new signing Jonjo Shelvey.

Newcastle were knocked out of the FA Cup by Watford at Vicarage Road a fortnight ago.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Former Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon is on the home side's bench.

Meanwhile, defender Jamie Sterry is not involved after suffering an injury in training this week.

Sterry said on Twitter: "Gutted to have picked up an injury through the week. But good luck to the team today!"

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Elliot, Janmaat, Lascelles, Coloccini, Mbemba; Sissoko, Saivet, Shelvey, Aarons; Wijnaldum; Mitroivc. Subs: Darlow, Taylor, Gouffran, Marveaux, Thauvin, Perez, Riviere.

WATFORD: Gomes; Paredes, Britos, Cathcart, Ake; Capoue, Watson; Behrami, Deeney, Jurado; Ighalo. Subs: Nyom, Prodl, Anya, Guedioura, Abdi Amrabat.