Team News: Vurnon Anita in for Jack Colback for Newcastle United

Vurnon Anita has replaced the injured Jack Colback in central midfield in the only change to Steve McClaren's side for the home clash with Stoke City.

Apart from that enforced change, McClaren has kept faith with the side which lost 3-0 to local rivals Sunderland last Sunday, with Fabricio Coloccini able to take his place in central defence after his red card was rescinded.

Ayoze Perez again partners Aleksandar Mitrovic in attack, meaning that Papiss Cisse has to make do with a place on the substitutes' bench.

For Mark Hughes's side, there are four changes to the team which knocked Chelsea out of the League Cup on penalties in midweek.

Glen Johnson and Erik Pieters come into the full-back positions after the former returned to fitness and the latter's suspension ended, while Bojan and Xherdan Shaqiri are brought back into the midfield.

Jonathan Walters is handed a start up front after scoring in the 1-1 draw with the Premier League champions before a penalty shootout.

Newcastle United: Elliot; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett; Sissoko, Anita, Tiote, Wijnaldum; Perez, Mitrovic Subs: Lascelles, Woodman, Haidara, Gouffran, Thauvin, De Jong, Cisse

Stoke City: Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters; Whelan, Adam; Shaqiri, Bojan, Arnautovic; Walters Subs: Haugaard, Wilson, Ireland, Afellay, Van Ginkel, Diouf, Crouch

Listen to what Sports Mole predicts for the match at St James' Park below.

Follow Sports Mole's live blow-by-blow commentary of the clash here.