Jonas Gutierrez makes his first start for Newcastle since receiving the all-clear after beating testicular cancer in today's Tyne-Wear derby at Sunderland.
The Argentinian defender, 31, has made three substitute appearances for the club this season.
Ahead of the derby, Newcastle manager John Carver this week admitted he wanted to hit Paolo Di Canio when Newcastle were beaten 3-0 at home by Sunderland during the Italian’s controversial time in charge.
Di Canio famously slid on his knees on the pitch during the win, Sunderland’s biggest at their rivals for more than 30 years. Carver, now Newcastle’s temporary head coach, was assistant to Alan Pardew on that chaotic afternoon.
“This is your own stadium, your home and it was embarrassing. It was an embarrassing performance and I was embarrassed to be part of it. Him doing that pissed me off. From that day, that is something that drives me to try to get the right result. When Paolo slid on his knees, I found that extremely hard to take, and that will stay in there.”
Teams
Sunderland: Pantilimon, Jones, van Aanholt, O'Shea (c), Vergini, Cattermole, Gomez, Larsson, Fletcher, Wickham, Defoe.
Subs: Bridcutt, Johnson, Reveillere, Graham, Coates, Buckley, Mannone
Newcastle: Krul, R.Taylor, Janmaat, Williamson, Colback, Sissoko (c), Gutierrez, Gouffran, Ameobi, Cabella.
Subs: Elliot, Anita, Abeid, Kemen, Obertan, Riviere, Armstrong.
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