Mikel Merino and Ciaran Clark dropped for Newcastle's visit to Southampton

Florian Lejeune and Isaac Hayden have been recalled to Benitez's side for this afternoon's game against Southampton (4pm kick-off).

Midfielder Merino was away with Spain's Under-21s during the international break, while defender Clark was with the Republic of Ireland.

erino this week signed a five-year deal at the club after his loan move from Borussia Dortmund was converted into a permanent switch.

Otherwise, United manager Benitez has named an unchanged side for the televised Premier League game.

A win for ninth-placed Newcastle would take the club into the top six.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Elliot; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Manquillo; Shelvey, Hayden; Ritchie, Perez, Atsu; Joselu. Subs: Darlow, Clark, Gamez, Merino, Diame, Murphy, Gayle.

SOUTHAMPTON: Forster, Cedric, van Dijk, Yoshida, Bertrand; Lemina, Romeu, Tadic, Redmond; Gabbiadini, Long. Subs: McCarthy, Hoedt, Davis, Austin, Ward-Prowse, Boufal, McQueen.