ALAN PARDEW has made just one change to the team that suffered defeat at Liverpool six days ago for Newcastle United's visit of Birmingham City.
With defender Mike Williamson ruled out for the rest of the season because after breaking his wrist in training, Pardew has handed Steven Taylor an opportunity to shine again.
Taylor has been for forced to play right-back when he has been given a chance under Pardew, but this is the 25-year-old's chance to prove he can start next season alongside Fabricio Coloccini.
Otherwise it is the same team that lost at Liverpool, while City include former Newcastle bad-boy Lee Bowyer in their starting line-up.
NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-4-2): Krul; Simpson, Taylor, Coloccini, Enrique; Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez; Lovenkrands, Ameobi. Subs: Harper (gk), R Taylor, Ranger, Ferguson, Donaldson, Tavernier, Kuqi.
BIRMINGHAM CITY (4-4-2): Foster; Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell; Larsson, Ferguson, Fahey, Bowyer; Beausejour, Jerome. Subs: Phillips, Bentley, Doyle (gk), Derbyshire, Parnaby, Hleb, Davies.
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