Best makes first start for Magpies

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew went into tonight’s Barclays Premier League with former club West Ham without both of his first-choice strikers.

Shola Ameobi, whose goal at Wigan on Sunday clinched all three points, joined Andy Carroll on the sidelines as Republic of Ireland striker Leon Best was handed a first top flight start for the club and a chance to break his goalscoring duck on Tyneside.

He partnered Dane Peter Lovenkrands in attack with the Magpies attempting to complete a league double over the visitors.

Hammers manager Avram Grant also made just one change, Mark Noble replacing Junior Stanislas in midfield as the Londoners looked to extend their unbeaten run to five games.

Newcastle: Harper, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez, Lovenkrands, Best.

Subs: Krul, Williamson, Guthrie, Routledge, Perch, Ranger, Ferguson.

West Ham: Green, Ben-Haim, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon, Sears, Parker, Kovac, Noble, Piquionne, Cole.

Subs: Boffin, Reid, Barrera, Spector, Behrami, Hines, Obinna.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)