Newcastle vs West Ham team news: Papiss Cisse rushed back into first team to help relegation fight despite knee injury

Is this the team that will save the Magpies from the drop?

A view of St James' Park (GETTY IMAGES)

John Carver has named Papiss Cisse in his starting line-up despite the striker having not expected to be ready due to a knee injury.

Newcastle or Hull City will be relegated today, with the Magpies needing to match the result of their fellow contenders for the drop in order to ensure survival.

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It appears it is with that in mind that Carver has picked the striker.

The 11-goal striker replaced Ayoze Perez, who was named among the substitutes, in one of three changes to the side which lost at QPR with Mike Williamson returning from suspension along with Vurnon Anita in place of Ryan Taylor and Remy Cabella.

There is no place for Siem de Jong in the starting line up though, with a thigh problem seeing him start on the bench.

West Ham defender James Collins misses the trip to Tyneside after suffering a calf strain last week.

However Nolan returns following a family bereavement.

Newcastle: Krul, Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett, Colback, Anita, Riviere, Sissoko, Gutierrez, Cisse.

Subs: Ryan Taylor, De Jong, Gouffran, Perez, Cabella, Ameobi, Woodman.

West Ham: Adrian, Reid, Jenkinson, Burke, Cresswell, Song, Nolan, Valencia, Kouyate, Downing, Cole.

Subs: Tomkins, Jarvis, Nene, O'Brien, Amalfitano, Jaaskelainen, Lee.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)