Rafa Benitez recalls Ayoze Perez to his Newcastle starting XI '“ and leaves out Dwight Gayle AND Joselu

Rafa Benitez has left strikers Dwight Gayle and Joselu out of his Newcastle United starting XI.

By The Newsroom

Published 1st Jan 2018, 13:05 BST- 1 min read

Updated 1st Jan 2018, 13:50 BST

Benitez's side take on Stoke City in a Premier League fixture at the bet365 Stadium this afternoon (3pm kick-off).

Perez, Javier Manquillo, Jonjo Shelvey, Mohamed Diame and Jacob Murphy all come into United's team.

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Gayle and Joselu – who led the line in Saturday's goalless draw against Brighton and Hove Albion, are among the substitutes.

Newcastle are 16th in the Premier League table. Stoke are a point above them in 15th place.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Darlow; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Manquillo; Shelvey, Diame; Murphy, Ritchie, Atsu; Perez. Subs: Woodman, Dummett, Haidara, Hayden, Merino, Gayle, Joselu.