Team News: Rafael Benitez makes five changes for Newcastle United trip to West Bromwich Albion

Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has made a number of changes to his starting lineup for the trip to West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.

The Spaniard has drafted in Karl Darlow, Chancel Mbemba, Ayoze Perez, Isaac Hayden and Mikel Merino as the Magpies look to avoid a fifth league defeat in a row.

Hayden is back after the completion of his suspension, while Merino starts having recovered from a back problem.

Caretaker West Brom manager Gary Megson, meanwhile, has made just one change from the team that got a 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday as Hal Robson-Kanu replaces Jay Rodriguez in attack.

The Baggies are still without the injured trio of Chris Brunt, Nacer Chadli and James Morrison as they bid to drag themselves away from the bottom three.

West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Nyom, Evans, Hegazi, Gibbs; Livermore, Barry, Field; Phillips, Robson-Kanu, Rondon Subs: Myhill, Jacob, McClean, Burke, Rodriguez, Krychowiak, McAuley

Newcastle United: Darlow; Yedlin, Clark, Lejeune, Mbemba; Ritchie, Hayden, Merino, Murphy, Perez; Joselu Subs: Elliot, Manquillo, Shelvey, Diame, Aarons, Gayle, Mitrovic