The 6ft 7ins shot-stopper starts in goal at the LNER Community Stadium after Karl Darlow tested positive for Covid-19 earlier in the week, and Freddie Woodman and Mark Gillespie were forced to self-isolate due to being identified as close contacts.

Max Thompson, 16, is the substitute goalkeeper. He was part of the Magpies' under-18 team which reached the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup last season.

Kell Watts, who spent last season on loan with Plymouth Argyle after making his Premier League bow for Newcastle against Liverpool on the final day of the 2019/20 season, starts in defence in what is otherwise an experienced United side.

Alongside Watts in central defence are captain Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernández, while Jacob Murphy and Matt Ritchie are the wing-backs.

Isaac Hayden and Jeff Hendrick start in central midfield with Ryan Fraser and Joelinton supporting last season's leading scorer Callum Wilson, who wears the famous Newcastle United number nine shirt for the first time.

As well as teenager keeper Thompson, the bench consists of Paul Dummett, Ciaran Clark, Jamal Lewis, Matty and Sean Longstaff, Allan Saint-Maximin, Dwight Gayle and Yoshinori Muto.

Newcastle United: Dan Langley, Jacob Murphy, Jamaal Lascelles (c), Federico Fernández, Kell Watts, Isaac Hayden, Ryan Fraser, Jeff Hendrick, Callum Wilson, Joelinton

Substitutes: Max Thompson, Paul Dummett, Ciaran Clark, Jamal Lewis, Matty Longstaff, Sean Longstaff, Allan Saint-Maximin, Yoshinori Muto, Dwight Gayle