Hughton names unchanged side for Rovers clash

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton named the same team for the fourth successive Barclays Premier League game as United looked for a fourth three-point haul on the trot.

That meant another start for striker Andy Carroll, whose winner at Arsenal on Sunday helped to further his claims on a first senior England call-up.

Former Magpies boss Sam Allardyce made three changes on his first return to St James’ Park since he was sacked in January 2008.

El-Hadji Diouf and Mame Biram Diouf were named among the substitutes as David Hoilett and Pascal Chimbonda started, with Nikola Kalinic replacing the injured Benjani Mwaruwari in attack.

Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi.

Subs: Soderberg, Campbell, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Smith, Steven Taylor, Ranger.

Blackburn: Robinson, Givet, Samba, Nelsen, Salgado, Emerton, Jones, Pedersen, Chimbonda, Hoilett, Kalinic.

Subs: Bunn, Dunn, El-Hadji Diouf, Goulon, Roberts, Hanley, Mame Diouf.

Referee: Michael Jones (Cheshire)