Rob Elliot will start in goal for the Magpies, with Jamaal Lascelles, Chancel Mbemba, Ciaran Clark and Massadio Haidara making up the defence.

Christian Atsu and Rolando Aarons start on the flanks in midfield, with Jonjo Shelvey partnering Mohamed Diame in the middle.

And Siem de Jong will occupy the number ten position, operating behind lone frontman Dwight Gayle.

Benitez has eleven replacements at his disposal in Edinburgh, with Freddie Woodman named on the bench as a substitute goalkeeper.

Jesus Gamez, Grant Hanley, Paul Dummett and new signing Florian Lejeune provide defensive reinforcements, with Jack Colback, Henri Saivet, Achraf Lazaar and Ayoze Perez also named among the substitutes.

And forwards Adam Armstrong and Aleksandar Mitrovic complete the list of players available for Benitez to call upon in United's first outing of 2017/18.

Newcastle United (4-4-1-1): Rob Elliot; Jamaal Lascelles (c), Chancel Mbemba, Ciaran Clark, Massadio Haidara; Christian Atsu, Jonjo Shelvey, Mohamed Diame, Rolando Aarons; Siem de Jong; Dwight Gayle.

Substitutes: Freddie Woodman, Jesus Gamez, Paul Dummett, Achraf Lazaar, Grant Hanley, Florian Lejeune, Jack Colback, Henri Saivet, Adam Armstrong, Aleksandar Mitrovic.