The Magpies were beaten 1-0 by Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day, and boss Benitez has opted to tweak his line-up for the Forest clash at St. James' Park, with DeAndre Yedlin, Christian Atsu and Ayoze Perez coming into the side at the expense of Vurnon Anita, Yoan Gouffran and Mohamed Diame.

Karl Darlow continues in goal after his fine display in the defeat to the Owls last time out, with Yedlin, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett making up the defence.

In the middle of the park, Isaac Hayden partners Jack Colback, with Matt Ritchie wide on the right and Ghanaian international Atsu on the left.

And Perez will provide support for leading goalscorer Dwight Gayle in front of what will be a full house at St. James'.

Reinforcements from the bench include Matz Sels, Anita, Chancel Mbemba, Achraf Lazaar, Gouffran, Diame and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Newcastle United (4-4-1-1): Karl Darlow; DeAndre Yedlin, Jamaal Lascelles (c), Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett; Matt Ritchie, Isaac Hayden, Jack Colback, Christian Atsu; Ayoze Perez; Dwight Gayle.

Substitutes: Matz Sels, Vurnon Anita, Chancel Mbemba, Achraf Lazaar, Mohamed Diame, Yoan Gouffran, Aleksandar Mitrovic.