Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa will make his full debut at right back for Newcastle United in tonight’s Europa League game against Metalist Kharkiv of the Ukraine at St. James’ Park.

This is almost as strong a side as Alan Pardew can start – in fact for players those who are eligible to play the Newcastle manager has selected his strongest side – and that’s good.

You just have to look at the bench – Rob Elliot, Danny Simpson, Massadio Haidara, James Perch, Vurnon Anita, Sylvain Marveaux, Shola Ameobi – to see what a really strong squad Newcastle now have.

Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote are in central filed for Newcastle and apart from the ineligible Mathieu Debuchy and Yoan Gouffran – who is injured at the moment – this is the strongest side Newcastle can field – with Ben Arfa still out injured.

Teams:

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Tim Krul; Mapou Yanga Mbiwa, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Cheick Tiote, Yohan Cabaye; Gabriel Obertan, Moussa Sissoko, Jonas Gutierrez; Papiss Cisse

Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Danny Simpson, Massadio Haidara, James Perch, Vurnon Anita, Sylvain Marveaux, Shola Ameobi

Metlaist Kharkiv – 4-2-3-1): Olexandr Goryainov; Cristian Villagra, Papa Gueye, Marco Torsiglieri, Fininho; Edmar, Juan Manuel Torres; Marlos, Cleiton Xavier, Jose Ernesto Sosa (c); Jonathan Cristaldo

Substitutes: Vladimir Disljenkovic, Andriy Berezovchuk, Oleg Shelayev, Sebastian Blanco, Jaja, Oleg Krasnopyorov, Willian

Referee: Tom Harald Hagen (Norway)