Confirmed line-up: Two changes for Tyne-Wear derby

St James’ Park will roar into life this afternoon as Newcastle United unveil a reshuffled XI for the first Tyne-Wear derby on Tyneside in ten years, with Sandro Tonali ruled out and two fresh faces drafted in by head coach Eddie Howe.

Tonali, who was forced off during the midweek Champions League victory over Barcelona, has not recovered in time, allowing German striker Nick Woltemade to make a rare start. The second alteration is in central defence, where Sven Botman returns to partner Dan Burn, relegating summer recruit Malick Thiaw to the bench.

The reshuffle does little to dilute local flavour: Burn and Lewis Hall, both boyhood Newcastle supporters, start, while Jacob Murphy and academy graduate Sean Neave provide further Geordie representation among the substitutes.

Anthony Elanga retains his place after a headline-grabbing double at the Camp Nou, and Kieran Trippier takes the armband for a fixture that has been a decade in the making.

Newcastle United (starting XI): Aaron Ramsdale; Kieran Trippier (c), Lewis Hall, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Jacob Ramsey, Joelinton, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade.

Substitutes: Nick Pope, Yoane Wissa, Malick Thiaw, William Osula, Tino Livramento, Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock, Alex Murphy, Sean Neave.

Kick-off is moments away as the Magpies target derby delight and a seventh consecutive home win in all competitions.