ANTHONY GORDON returns to a much-changed Newcastle United starting line-up for this evening's Carabao Cup fourth-round game with Chelsea.

Gordon has been passed fit to feature at St James' Park after being forced to sit out Sunday's Premier League defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge because of a groin injury.

Eddie Howe has rung the changes for tonight's return game in the League Cup, with two of the defenders who formed the backline on Sunday making way.

Lloyd Kelly will partner Fabian Schar at centre-half, with Emil Krafth playing ahead of Tino Livramento at right-back.

There are a further two changes in midfield, with Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff both returning to the starting line-up after coming off the bench at Stamford Bridge.

The pair will play alongside Sandro Tonali this evening, with Bruno Guimaraes dropping down to the bench.

Gordon returns as part of the front three, with Joelinton also expected to push forward to play in more of an attacking role. Miguel Almiron drops out of the side that started against Chelsea at the weekend.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has changed all 11 of his players, with none of the players that started the league win over Newcastle kicking off tonight's game.


NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Pope; Krafth, Schar, Kelly, Hall; Tonali, Longstaff, Willock; Gordon, Isak, Joelinton.

Subs: Dubravka, Barnes, Osula, Livramento, Almiron, Burn, A Murphy, Guimaraes, Miley.


CHELSEA (4-3-3): Jorgensen; Disasi, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella; Dewsbury-Hall, Veiga, Fernandez; Felix, Nkunku, Mudryk.

Subs: Bergstrom, Bettinelli, Chilwell, Colwill, Chukwuemeka, Casadei, Palmer, Guiu, Madueke.