Mohamed Diame recalled for Newcastle's visit to Burnley, Mikel Merino's absence explained
Rafa Benitez has recalled Mohamed Diame to Newcastle United's starting XI for tonight's game against Burnley.
The two clubs meet at Turf Moor in a televised Premier League game (8pm kick-off).
Diame comes in for Isaac Hayden, who drops to the bench. Otherwise, United manager Benitez has named an unchanged team.
Midfielder Mikel Merino – who came off the bench and scored a winner Crystal Palace in the club's last game – is not involved because of a back injury, while Burnley striker Chris Wood also misses out.
Newcastle are eighth in the table, while Burnley are a point behind them in 10th place.
NEWCASTLE UNITED: Elliot; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Manquillo; Diame, Shelvey; Ritchie, Perez, Atsu; Joselu. Subs: Darlow, Clark, Gamez, Hayden, Saivet, Murphy, Gayle.
BURNLEY: Pope, Lowton, Cork, Tarkowski, Mee, Barnes, Brady, Hendrick, Defour, Gunmundsson, Ward. Subs: Lindegaard, Vokes, Westwood, Wells, Bardsley, Long, Arfield.
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