Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce started with Allan Saint-Maximin at Brighton's Amex Stadium after the winger shook off a calf injury.
The Magpies though had to field Emil Krafth in the centre of defence alongside Ferderico Fernandez due to a host of injury problems at the back.
Indeed, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Florian Lejeune are all injured hence the Sweden international's switch to the centre.
Bruce had toyed with the idea of playing youngster Kell Watts after he received Premier League clearance but the youngster from Alnwick is only named as sub.
But Bruce was able to welcome back Andy Carroll and also handed him a place on the bench.
Jonjo Shelvey skippered the team in place of absent defender Lascelles while Nabil Bentaleb was handed another chance to impress as he plays for a move from Schalke 04.
UNITED : Dubravka, Manquillo, Krafth, Fernandez, Rose, Shelvey, Bentaleb, Ritchie, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Gayle
Subs : Darlow, Carroll, Joelinton, Muto, Yedlin, Lazaro, Atsu, M. Longstaff, Watts.
