Mohamed Diame recalled for Newcastle's home game against Watford

Mohamed Diame has been recalled for Newcastle United's home game against Watford.

Rafa Benitez, without the suspended Isaac Hayden, has picked Diame ahead of fit-again Mikel Merino for the game (3pm kick-off).

Merino is among the substitutes at St James's Park.

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Otherwise, Benitez's starting XI is unchanged from the side that was beaten 4-1 by Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend.

Newcastle are looking to end a run of three successive league defeats.

Meanwhile, former United defender Daryl Janmaat is on the Watford bench.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Newcastle team: Elliot; Yedlin, Clark, Lejeune, Manquillo; Ritchie, Diame, Shelvey, Murphy; Gayle, Joselu. Subs: Newcastle subs: Darlow, Gamez, Mbemba, Merino, Aarons, Perez, Mitrovic.

WATFORD: Gomes; Mariappa, Kabasele, Britos; Femenía, Cleverley, Doucouré, Zeegelaar; Hughes, Richarlison; Gray. Subs: Karnezis, Janmaat, Prodl, Watson, Carrillo, Capoue, Pereyra.