ALAN PARDEW has made four changes to the Newcastle United team for this afternoon’s Tyne-Wear derby, while Sunderland counterpart Gus Poyet has largely kept things the same.

Poyet, looking to lead the Black Cats to a fourth straight win over the Magpies for the first time in the club’s history, has brought Steven Fletcher back in to the lead the line at the expense of American Jozy Altidore.

But other than that it is Pardew who has made the changes. Perhaps crucially, though, young goalkeeper Jak Alnwick has a chance to make amends for a poor performance at Tottenham in midweek after shrugging off a shoulder injury.

Right-back Daryl Janmaat returns at right-back after suspension, while Steven Taylor starts ahead of Mike Williamson at the heart of the defence. There are also recalls for Cheik Tiote and Sammy Ameobi, while Massadio Haidara, Remy Cabella and Emmanuel Riviere drop down to the bench.

Pardew is aiming to claim a first derby win on home soil as Newcastle boss.

Newcastle: Alnwick, Janmaat, Coloccini, S Taylor, Dummett, Sissoko, Colback, Tiote, Gouffran, Perez, Ameobi. Subs: Woodman (gk), Haidara, Williamson, Cabella, Armstrong, Riviere, Cisse.

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Vergini, O’Shea, Brown, Reveillere; Cattermole; Johnson, Larsson, Gomez, Wickham; Fletcher. Subs: Bridcutt, Rodwell, Altidore, Alvarez, Coates, Buckley, Mannone (gk).