Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has recalled Mohamed Diame to his starting XI for this afternoon's Championship clash with Birmingham City at St James' Park.

Ayoze Perez is the man to drop out in one of two changes for the hosts as they look to regain their place at the top of the table.

DeAndre Yedlin is also demoted to the bench as Vurnon Anita comes in at right-back, while Jonjo Shelvey and Paul Dummett are both included in the side having seen their red cards rescinded during the week.

Birmingham, meanwhile, make three changes to their side as Stephen Gleeson, Greig Stewart and Che Adams all come into the starting XI.

Lukas Jutkiewicz and Maikel Kieftenbeld drop to the bench as a result, while David Davis misses out entirely following his red card in the 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Barnsley last weekend.

Victory for the visitors could see them climb up to third in the Championship table, while the hosts need a win to leapfrog Brighton & Hove Albion in first place.

Newcastle United: Darlow; Anita, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Ritchie, Shelvey, Hayden, Diame, Gouffran; Gayle
Subs: Sels, Yedlin, Lazaar, Mbemba, Tiote, Atsu, Mitrovic

Birmingham City: Kuszczak; Dacres-Cogley, Morrison, Shotton, Grounds; Tesche, Gleeson, Stewart, Cotterill, Adams; Donaldson
Subs: Legzdins, Robinson, Kieftenbeld, Jutkiewicz, Solomon-Otabor, Brown, O'Keeffe