Revealed! Rafa Benitez's Tyne-Wear derby starting XI

Manager Benitez has made two changes for this afternoon's game against Sunderland (1.30pm kick-off).

Defender Chancel Mbemba and winger Andros Townsend are recalled to the starting XI, while Steven Taylor and Vurnon Anita drop to the bench.

Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey wears the captain's armband in the absence of injured skipper Fabricio Coloccini.

Relegation-threatened Newcastle are looking to end Sunderland's run of six successive derby defeats.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Elliot; Janmaat, Mbemba, Lascelles, Colback; Sissoko, Shelvey, Wijnaldum, Townsend; Perez, Mitrovic. Subs: Darlow, Taylor, Anita, Saivet, De Jong, Riviere, Cisse.

SUNDERLAND: Mannone, Yedlin, Kone, Kaboul, van Aanholt, Kirchhoff, M’Vila, Rodwell, Khazri, Borini, Defoe. Subs: Jones, Cattermole, Pickford, N’Doye, O’Shea, Lens, Toivonen.

Follow our live blog here