Christian Atsu is an exciting player.

Rafa Benitez has brought the diminutive winger back into his starting line-up today and Atsu uses his first taste of the ball to run at the backpedaling Stoke defence.

He tries to slip a pass into the path of Joselu on the edge of the box, but the forward is ushered away from goal by Kurt Zouma.

Image source, Reuters

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has made a promising start to life as a Potter, and that new-found confidence sees the forward attempt an effort from way outside the box.

He doesn't quite catch it, but the ball deflects off a Newcastle body for the first corner of the match.

Stoke send up the big back-three, but that's dealt with by the hosts.

That Stoke axis of Joe Allen and Darren Fletcher has the mark of a GB XI midfield on it.

Plenty of experience between the 'Welsh Pirlo' and the veteran Scot, and they're getting a hold on the game early doors.

Neat football from the visitors.

Isaac Hayden has just nailed Darren Fletcher in centre midfield. Let your opposite number know you're there and all that.

The Newcastle man has been out helping at food banks in the city this week. He's showing no such love to the visitors at St James'.

Stuart Attwell thinks about booking him, but Hayden gets the benefit of the doubt.

Oh dear. Xherdan Shaqiri must have forgotten former team-mate Joselu has made a move to the north east.

The Stoke winger hits a pass straight to the Newcastle forward, who shifts it wide to Matt Ritchie.

Ritchie cuts inside, but his shot is blocked on its way towards goal. First hint of a chance goes to the hosts.

Image source, Getty Images

Referee Stuart Attwell gets us under way.

It's the hosts who kick-off.

Right then, the teams are on their way out, the St James' Park atmosphere is beginning to bubble and we've got a Premier League football match on our hands...

First the formalities. Hand shakes, or more like high fives, all round.

Image source, Reuters

Let's have a quick recap of those teams before kick-off...

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On the bench for Newcastle: Freddie Woodman, Jacob Murphy, Jonjo Shelvey, Dwight Gayle, Mohamed Diame, Javier Manquillo, Florian Lejeune.

Stoke's bench: Lee Grant, Glen Johnson, Saido Berahino, Josh Tymon, Charlie Adam, Peter Crouch, Ramadan Sobhi.

• Newcastle have not beaten Stoke in five attempts in the Premier League, losing three and failing to score in four.
• However, Stoke have only managed four wins in 44 visits to Newcastle in all competitions since 1898.

Stoke City

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes: "We are just really encouraged by what we are producing at the moment and so we want that to continue on Saturday.

"We know we will have to play well but if we give ourselves the opportunity to put in a good performance then they will know it will be a difficult game for them.

"Wins change everyone's perception on how well you are doing and Newcastle have picked up a couple in their last two games, which will encourage them."

Newcastle United

Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez on missing the Swansea game following surgery: "I'd like to say thank you to everyone for their messages.

"We won so everything is fine and I'm here talking so it's good.

"There was a lot of work behind the scenes. I watched from the sofa, took notes. I was shouting but it was okay."

Alistair Mann
MOTD commentator

Things are starting to look a great deal brighter for Newcastle.

Prior to their last home game against West Ham, their fans' overwhelming assessment was that they were in need of both points and new recruits in equal measures.

With no new additions, the two wins since have at least indicated that the players they do have available are adjusting to life in the top flight.

With officially the youngest line-up in the Premier League, a successful season of consolidation could point to an encouraging future.

In their 10th successive campaign among the elite, Stoke know exactly the demands of this unforgiving division and - having emerged from three tough games unbeaten - will test the Magpies' new-found optimism.

Joselu starts against his former club as Newcastle make three changes to the side that beat Swansea 1-0 last week.

DeAndre Yedlin, Chancel Mbemba and Christian Atsu all come in to Rafa Benitez’s side, with Javier Manquillo, Jesus Gamez and Jacob Murphy making way.

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Mark Hughes makes one change to the Stoke team that drew 2-2 with Manchester United last time out, with the injured Geoff Cameron replaced by Bruno Martins Indi at the back.

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Let's crack straight on with some team news...

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Whisper it, but we've got two teams at St James' Park today who are quietly playing their way into the form books.

Rafa Benitez is back in the dugout for Newcastle after missing last week's win at Swansea, and will hope his side can record a third win on the bounce in the Premier League.

Stoke, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their past three league games having earned a draw against Jose Mourinho's Manchester United last time out.

Mark Hughes' side haven't lost since an opening-day defeat at Everton.

A win for either of these sides today, and with results elsewhere going their way, they could find themselves nestling into the top four come 5pm.