Newcastle's Yoan Gouffran handed shock recall at Stoke

The forward has been recalled to the starting XI at the Britannia Stadium in the absence through injury of Andros Townsend.

McClaren's relegation-threatened side is captained by midfielder Jonjo Shelvey in the absence of injured skipper Fabricio Coloccini.

Defender Jamaal Lascelles replaces Coloccini in McClaren's defence, while Gouffran has been handed a start on the left.

The 29-year-old's only previous Premier League start this season came away to Manchester City in October.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Elliot; Janmaat, Taylor, Lascelles, Dummett; Sissoko, Shelvey; Colback, Gouffran, Wijnaldum; Mitrovic. Subs: Darlow, Sterry, Saivet, Aarons, Perez, Riviere, Doumbia.

STOKE CITY: Butland, Bardsley, Wollscheid, Cameron, Pieters, Imbula, Arnautovic, Shaqiri, Whelan, Afellay, Walters.