RYAN TAYLOR returns to Newcastle United's starting line-up for the first time since August 2012 as Alan Pardew's side take on Manchester City in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup tonight.

Having recovered from two separate cruciate ligament injuries, Taylor returns to action as one of six changes from the side that beat Tottenham on Sunday.

Adhering to Newcastle's stated policy of not prioritising the cup competitions, Pardew has left out a number of his most senior players despite facing last season's Premier League champions.

Rob Elliot replaces Tim Krul in the Magpies goal, with Massadio Haidara coming into the back four to play at left-back. Paul Dummett, who has been Newcastle's first-choice left-back in the league, is expected to move inside too partner Fabricio Coloccini at centre-half.

Ryan Taylor will play in a deep-lying midfield role alongside Jack Colback and Mehdi Abeid, who replaces Vurnon Anita.

Rolando Aarons, who is also returning after a two-month lay-off with a hamstring injury, will start on the left flank, with youngster Adam Armstrong preferred to Ayoze Perez in attack.

Despite his club's Champions League commitments, Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has named an extremely strong side, with the likes of Eliaquim Mangala, Yaya Toure, Fernandinho, David Silva and Eden Dzeko all starting.

MAN CITY (4-2-3-1): Caballero; Sagna, Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov; Toure, Fernandinho; Milner, Silva, Jovetic; Dzeko.

Subs: Hart (gk), Zabaleta, Boyata, Reges, Navas, Nasri, Aguero.

NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Elliot; Janmaat, Coloccini, Dummett, Haidara; R Taylor, Abeid, Colback; Obertan, Armstrong, Aarons.

Subs: Krul (gk), Sissoko, Gouffran, Cabella, Ameobi, Riviere, Perez.