Team News: Demba Ba starts for Chelsea

Demba Ba has been recalled to the starting lineup against his old club as Chelsea travel to St James' Park to take on Newcastle United this afternoon.

Ba takes the place of Fernando Torres, who drops to the bench in one of two changes for the Blues. Captain John Terry also returns to the starting XI in place of Cesar Azpilicueta.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have named an unchanged side to the one that beat Aston Villa 2-1 during the week.

Newcastle: Krul; Debuchy, S.Taylor, Coloccini (c), Santon; Perch, Cabaye; Gouffran, Sissoko, Gutierrez; Cisse Subs: Elliot, Yanga-Mbiwa, Bigirimana, Anita, Marveaux, Obertan, Shola Ameobi

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Lampard; Oscar, Mata, Bertrand; Ba Subs: Turnbull, Ferreira, Azpilicueta, Ake, Benayoun, Marin, Torres