Newcastle United v Leeds United team news: Three changes with Mateusz Klich benched as Diego Llorente makes first start

Spanish international summer recruit Llorente returned from a series of injuries as an unused substitute in last weekend's 1-0 defeat at home to Brighton and now makes his first Whites start.

Llrorente comes into a side that is without Mateusz Klich who drops to the bench along with Pascal Struijk and Kiko Casilla as Phillips and Meslier both return.

Phillips missed last weekend's 1-0 loss at home to Brighton through a one-match ban having accumulated five yellow cards before 19-game the cut off point.

Meslier missed out with illness having been the subject of rumours over a positive Covid-19 test during the week.

The returning Liam Cooper and Casilla came in for Phillips and Meslier against Brighton but both now return.

Robin Koch (knee), Gaetano Berardi (ACL) and Adam Forshaw (hip) are United's three absentees with injury.

Centre-backs Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett and Federico Fernandez are all missing for Newcastle who have gone ten games without a win in league and cup.

Magpies boss Steve Bruce has made two changes to his side with Ryan Fraser and Jacob Murphy replacing Andy Carroll and Javier Manquillo.

Star winger Allan Saint-Maximin is only on the bench as he continues his way back to full fitness following his lay off due to injury and the effects of coronavirus.

Newcastle United: Darlow, Murphy, Hayden, Lascelles, Schar, Lewis, Shelvey, Hendrick, Almiron, Fraser, Wilson. Subs: Dubravka, Krafth, Manquillo, Longstaff, Ritchie, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton, Gayle, Carroll.

Leeds United: Meslier, Alioski, Cooper, Llorente, Ayling, Phillips, Dallas, Raphinha, Harrison, Rodrigo, Bamford. Subs: Casilla, Davis, Struijk, Klich, Shackleton, Costa, Roberts, Hernandez, Poveda.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/andrea-radrizzani-what-san-francisco-49ers-ps50m-plus-investment-means-leeds-uniteds-short-term-and-long-term-goals-3112498

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins