DANNY Simpson and Yohan Cabaye return to Newcastle United's starting line-up for this evening's Europa League group game with French side Bordeaux.

Simpson has missed the last five matches with a hamstring injury, while Cabaye was forced to sit out the weekend draw at Reading after picking up a mouth infection following the removal of his wisdom teeth.

The pair return tonight though as Newcastle attempt to build on the 0-0 draw in Maritimo that kicked off their campaign in Group D.

In total, Alan Pardew has made seven changes to the side that drew at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, with Rob Elliot, Shane Ferguson, Vurnon Anita, Gabriel Obertan and Shola Ameobi all starting.

There is no place in the starting line-up for Hatem Ben Arfa or Demba Ba, but with Papiss Cisse and Cheik Tiote also featuring, this is comfortably the strongest line-up Newcastle have named in the Europa League so far.

NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Elliot; Simpson, Williamson, Perch, Ferguson; Anita, Tiote, Cabaye; Cisse, Shola Ameobi, Obertan.

Subs: Harper (gk), Santon, Gosling, Bigirimana, Ben Arfa, Sammy Ameobi, Ba.

BORDEAUX (4-4-2): Carrasso; Mariano, Henrique, Planus, Tremoulinas; Saivet, Sane, Plasil, Obraniak; Jussie, Gouffran.

Subs: Olimpa (gk), N'Guemo, Diabate, Chalme, Marange, Traore, Bellion.