HATEM BEN ARFA and Papiss Cisse drop back down to the bench for Newcastle United as manager Alan Pardew mixes things up for this afternoon's visit of Manchester City.

Ben Arfa and Cisse are two of four changes to the Magpies side which lost out to Cardiff City in the FA Cup last weekend as Pardew aims to prevent a fourth straight defeat.

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-2-3-1): Krul; Yanga-Mbiwa, Williamson, S Taylor, Santon; Anita, Tiote; Sissoko, Cabaye, Gouffran; Remy. Subs: Elliot (gk), Cisse, Ben Arfa, Gosling, Haidara, Marveaux, Sa Ameobi.

 MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Kompany, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Toure; Silva, Negredo, Nasri; Dzeko. Subs: Pantilimon, Richards, Lescott, Milner, Garcia, Jesus Navas, Clichy.