ALAN Pardew has named a strong starting line-up for this evening's Carling Cup fourth-round clash with Blackburn Rovers.

Tim Krul continues in goal, with two changes to the Magpies' usual back four in front of him. James Perch replaces the injured Steven Taylor, while Davide Santon makes his first Newcastle start in place of Ryan Taylor.

Danny Guthrie starts in central midfield in place of the injured Cheik Tiote, with Jonas Gutierrez and Sylvain Marveaux expected to rotate on the flanks.

Demba Ba will play as a lone striker, with Hatem Ben Arfa occupying a free role behind him.

There is also a partial recall for the previously out-of-favour Nile Ranger, who is named on the bench.

BLACKBURN (4-4-2): Bunn; Lowe, Samba, Givet, Olsson; Hoilett, Rochina, Petrovic, Pedersen; Yakubu, Goodwillie.

Subs: Robinson (gk), Formica, Vukcevic, Roberts, Hanley, Anderson, Cotton.

NEWCASTLE (4-4-1-1): Krul; Simpson, Coloccini, Perch, Santon; Marveaux, Guthrie, Cabaye, Gutierrez; Ben Arfa; Ba.

Subs: Elliot (gk), Lovenkrands, Abeid, Gosling, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Ranger.