Hughton makes nine changes for Magpies

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton turned to his big guns once again as nine of the men who fashioned a midweek Carling Cup victory over Chelsea made way for the game with Stoke.

Summer signings Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheik Tiote were handed first starts at St James’ Park and James Perch returned from suspension as the Magpies looked to end a good week with a third win after their 1-0 success at Everton last Saturday.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis made four changes to the side which dumped Fulham out of the Carling Cup as Asmir Begovic, Danny Higginbotham, Ricardo Fuller and Tuncay Sanli sat out.

Thomas Sorensen, who famously saved an Alan Shearer penalty at St James’ during his Sunderland days, Danny Collins, Dean Whitehead and Jon Walters were drafted in.

Newcastle: Krul, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Ben Arfa, Barton, Tiote, Routledge, Nolan, Carroll.

Subs: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Gutierrez, Ameobi, Ranger.

Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Collins, Whelan, Whitehead, Diao, Etherington, Jones, Walters.

Subs: Begovic, Higginbotham, Gudjohnsen, Fuller, Wilson, Delap, Faye.

Referee: Michael Jones (Cheshire)