Given comes back for Newcastle

Newcastle defender Steve Caldwell was handed a first start in almost 20 months in tonight’s Tyne-Tees derby clash with Middlesbrough.

The Scottish international, who last started in a 2-1 defeat by Boro at St James’ Park on March 17 last year, replaced the injured Andy O’Brien as Aaron Hughes moved into central defence and Olivier Bernard came in at left-back.

There was no place for Kieron Dyer, who again had to make do with a seat on the bench after recovering from a back injury, while Shay Given returned for Steve Harper.

Boro boss Steve McClaren was also forced to make changes as Croatian striker Alen Boksic missed out with flu to hand Szilard Nemeth a recall, while full-back Stuart Parnaby, who made his Premiership debut against Leeds last weekend in the absence of the injured Robbie Stockdale, kept his place.

Newcastle: Given, Griffin, Hughes, Caldwell, Bernard, Solano, Jenas, Speed, Robert, Shearer, Ameobi.

Subs: Elliott, Dyer, Harper, LuaLua, Viana.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Parnaby, Southgate, Ehiogu, Queudrue, Geremi, Boateng, Greening, Job, Nemeth, Maccarone.

Subs: Vidmar, Marinelli, Crossley, Cooper, Wilkshire.

Referee: G Barber (Hertfordshire)