Rafael Benítez celebrates his 56th birthday on Saturday but he will only be smiling if he secures his first win as manager of Newcastle United. Should Benitez’s players suffer another stumble survival will, realistically, be near impossible so the Spaniard could do with a strong performance from Jonjo Shelvey against his former employers. He must also cope without Daryl Janmaat, his Holland right back, who has undergone hand surgery after punching a dressing room wall in frustration during last Saturday’s defeat at frustration. Tynesiders can only pray Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson’s recent stellar form deserts him. Louise Taylor
Kick-off 3pm
Venue St James’ Park
Last season Newcastle Utd 2 Swansea City 3
Referee Lee Mason
This season G17, Y47, R3, 2.94 cards per game
Odds H 11-8 A 12-5 D 12-5
Newcastle United
Subs from Woodman, Saivet, Tioté, De Jong, Gouffran, Aarons, Cissé, Pérez, Doumbia, Rivière, Obertan
Doubtful None
Injured Krul (knee, Aug), Elliot (knee, Oct), Janmaat (hand, 23 Apr), Coloccini (calf, unknown), Haidara (knee, Aug), Mbabu (hip, 23 Apr), Taylor (muscle, unknown)
Suspended None
Form LLLDLL
Discipline Y54 R1
Leading scorer Wijnaldum 9
Swansea City
Subs from Nordfeldt, Naughton, Amat, Bartley, Britton, Ki, Montero, Barrow, Gomis, Emnes, Kingsley
Doubtful None
Injured None
Suspended None
Form WWLWDW
Discipline Y50 R4
Leading scorer Sigurdsson 11
