Newcastle vs QPR team news: Magpies without captain Fabricio Coloccini while Ranger welcome back Joey Barton

QPR are missing influential winger Eduardo Vargas after the birth of his daughter

Harry Redknapp has made two changes to the Queens Park Rangers side that held champions Manchester City to a draw a fortnight ago as they look to cope without the influential Eduardo Vargas.

Vargas misses the Premier League clash with Newcastle due to the birth of his daughter, so Joey Barton is handed a first start since recovering from injury. He’s joined in the starting line-up by Nedum Onuoha, who replaces Mauricio Isla as Redknapp switches to a four-man defence.

Newcastle are without their captain Fabricio Coloccini after the defender suffered a calf injury, while Steven Taylor is also absent with a knee problem. It means that Mike Williamson comes in to partner Paul Dummett in the centre of defence, with Mousa Sissoko captaining the Magpies in the absence of the Argentinian.

Ryan Taylor also returns to the side as 22-year-old Mehdi Abeid misses out on the squad, while striker Papiss Cisse remains among the substitutes with Ayoze Perez and Sammy Ameobi continuing their run in the side.

Vargas is absent due to the birth of his daughter

Line-ups:

Newcastle: Krul; Janmaat, Williamson, Dummett, Haidara; R.Taylor, Sissoko (c), Colback; Cabella, Perez, Ameobi.

Subs: Elliot, Streete, Anita, Gouffran, Armstrong, Ferreyra, Cisse.

Queens Park Rangers: Green, Onuoha, Caulker, Dunne, Suk-Young; Barton, Sandro, Henry, Fer; Austin, Zamora.

Subs: McCarthy, Traore, Phillips, Isla, Mutch, Kranjcar, Hoilett