Rafa Benitez has named a strong side for the FA Cup fourth round clash at Chelsea .
The Magpies will start with a five-man defence at Stamford Bridge with Massadio Haidara handed a rare chance from the start.
United, though, have stuck with Ciaran Clark and Jamaal Lascelles in the middle, while Matt Ritchie returned to the starting line-up.
And there was a start for Henri Saivet in the middle of the park with Jonjo Shelvey staying in the engine room for the cup encounter against the Blues.
Yet there was no place for Aleksandar Mitrovic with the Serbian striker not deemed focus enough to play in the game amidst talk he will leave St James’ Park this month.
Benitez had said before the game: “Some of them are names linked with the transfer window so I have to be careful.
“I don’t want to do anything wrong for the players or for us.
“The main thing is to find the balance of players who want to stay, play and compete.
“We have to try to be as strong as possible.”
Team: Darlow, Manquillo, Mbemba, Lascelles (c), Clark, Haïdara, Shelvey, Saivet, Hayden, Ritchie, Gayle.
Subs: Woodman, Yedlin, Dummett, Diamé, Atsu, Murphy, Joselu.
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