Callum Wilson was not risked by Steve Bruce in today's clash with Chelsea at St James' Park.
It meant that Brazilian striker Joelinton led the line against the Blues with Wilson's hamstring not sufficiently healed in the eyes of the medical staff for an intense Premier League encounter.
Bruce also benched Miguel Almiron with Isaac Hayden coming back into the side in a defensive midfield role.
But the Magpies boss did recall Ciaran Clark while Sean Longstaff retained his place.
Clark's return saw Fabian Schar drop to the bench while Jeff Hendrick also came out of the team.
Jonjo Shelvey was deemed fit enough to take a place on the sidelines after a hernia operation a month ago.
UNITED : Darlow, Manquillo, Fernandez, Lascelles, Clark, Lewis, Hayden, Sean Longstaff, Murphy, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton
Subs: Gillespie, Schar, Krafth, Hendrick, Shelvey, Almiron, Carroll
