Rafael Benitez has made five changes to his Newcastle United side for this afternoon's relegation six-pointer at Norwich City.

Papiss Cisse comes in to lead the line in place of Aleksandar Mitrovic, who drops to the bench despite finding a late equaliser for the Magpies against Sunderland last time out.

Ayoze Perez also starts the game among the substitutes as Cheick Tiote comes into defensive midfield in Benitez's 4-2-3-1 formation.

The other changes all come at the back as Jamaal Lascelles and the suspended Jack Colback make way for Steven Taylor and Vurnon Anita, while Karl Darlow makes his first appearance between the sticks since December following Tim Krul's anterior cruciate ligament injury.

For the hosting Canaries, Alex Neil makes three changes to the side that claimed a vital victory over West Bromwich Albion two weeks ago.

Dieumerci Mbokani once again leads the line but Patrick Bamford is benched in favour of Steven Naismith.

Neil also tinkers with his back four, bringing in Andre Wisdom and Ryan Bennett for Sebastien Bassong and Russell Martin.

Norwich City: Ruddy; Wisdom, Bennett, Klose, Olsson; Jarvis, Howson, O'Neil, Brady; Naismith; Mbokani
Subs: Rudd, Bassong, Jerome, Bamford, Hoolahan, Mulumbu, Redmond

Newcastle United: Darlow; Janmaat, Mbemba, Taylor, Anita; Tiote, Shelvey; Townsend, Wijnaldum, Sissoko; Cisse
Subs: Woodman, Sterry, Lascelles, De Jong, Perez, Riviere, Mitrovic

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