Papiss Cisse has recovered from a knee injury to start for Newcastle United against Liverpool at St James' Park this afternoon.

It was believed that the Senegalese centre-forward would remain sidelined for the encounter on Tyneside, but he will lead the home side's attack, with Sammy Ameobi and Gabriel Obertan offering the support from out wide.

Elsewhere, manager Alan Pardew has handed a first Premier League start of the season to Mehdi Abeid in midfield.

As for visiting Liverpool, striker Mario Balotelli has returned to the starting lineup, having begun Tuesday's League Cup tie against Swansea City on the bench.

Jose Enrique has not been included against his former club because of injury, which has handed a start to Alberto Moreno at left-back. Adam Lallana, though, is only among the substitutes.

Newcastle: Krul; Janmaat, S Taylor, Coloccini, Dummett; Sissoko, Abeid, Colback; Obertan, Ameobi; Cisse

Liverpool: Mignolet; Johnson, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno; Gerrard, Allen, Henderson; Coutinho, Sterling; Balotelli

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