Newcastle's Steven Taylor has not made the Newcastle first XI for the Tyne-Wear derby, having to make do with a place on the bench instead.
Sunderland vs. Newcastle: Lineups
James McClean and Fabricio Coloccini return for Sunderland and Newcastle respectively, but Steven Taylor has to make do with a place on the bench.
Laurence Griffiths
The Magpies defender had been in the news over the past week after making negative comments towards Newcastle's rivals Sunderland, but it appears he has failed to achieve fitness in time to get a place in Alan Pardew's starting eleven.
Mike Williamson takes his place to partner Fabricio Coloccini in an attacking lineup for Newcastle, with Shola Ameobi - famed for his derby-day performances - partnering Demba Ba up front.
Sunderland line up as expected, with the added boost of James McClean returning in time for the game, in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Stephane Sessegnon just behind the in-form Steven Fletcher.
Sunderland (4-4-1-1): Simon Mignolet; Craig Gardner, John O'Shea (c), Carlos Cuellar, Danny Rose; Adam Johnson, Sebastian Larsson, Jack Colback, James McClean; Stephane Sessegnon; Steven Fletcher.
Newcastle (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon - Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Cheik Tiote, Jonas Gutierrez - Demba Ba, Shola Ameobi.
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