Newcastle confirmed line-ups v QPR: Striker axed in nine changes
By Amir Mir
Newcastle have made nine changes to the side that takes on QPR on Wednesday night in a Championship clash at St James’ Park.
Rafa Benitez has opted to bring back in, Karl Darlow, DeAndre Yedlin, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie, Jonjo Shelvey, Yoan Gouffran and Daryl Murphy.
As a result, Mats Sels, Curtis Good, Grant Hanley, Haidara, Gámez Duarte, Daniel Barlaser, Achraf Lazaar, Ben El-Mhanni and Aleksander Mitrovic miss out from the last game.
Here is the club’s official Twitter account announcing the starting XI that plays QPR.
Striker Mitrovic has been axed from the FA Cup loss to Oxford as Benitez has opted to start summer signing Murphy.
The return of midfield ace Jonjo Shelvey will please the supporters the most as his presence in the middle of the park helps the team perform enormously well.
His seven assists in 23 Championship games have played a pivotal part in the north east club currently sitting in second place.
The Magpies have the chance to claim top spot in the table if they are able to overcome Ian Holloway’s men and clinch all three points in front of their own supporters.
At this moment in time, Brighton occupy first place but they don’t play their fixture until Thursday night against promotion rivals Huddersfield Town.
Benitez’ men were comfortable winners during their last league outing on home soil when they beat rock-bottom Rotherham 4-0.
During the reverse fixture against QPR in September, the promotion chasers thrashed their midweek opponents 6-0, but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was in charge for the R’s then.
In other Newcastle team news, fans will be surprised by the prediction for the QPR clash by this Sky Sports pundit.
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