Matz Sels and Achraf Lazaar handed EFL Cup starts for Newcastle

Matz Sels and Achraf Lazaar have been handed EFL Cup starts for Newcastle United.

The club takes on Hull City at the KCOM Stadium tonight (7.45pm kick-off) with a place in the last four of the competition at stake.

And United manager Rafa Benitez has made SEVEN changes to the side that was beaten 1-0 by Blackburn Rovers at St James's Park on Saturday.

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Jamaal Lascelles, Vurnon Anita, Dwight Gayle, Mohamed Diame and Yoan Gouffran also come into the starting XI.

Lazaar last start was in September's EFL Cup 2-0 third-round win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James's Park.

Sels was last in goal for Newcastle's 6-0 cup win over Preston North End last month.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Sels; Anita, Lascelles, Clark, Lazaar; Shelvey, Hayden; Ritchie, Diame, Gouffran; Gayle. Subs: Newcastle subs: Darlow, Dummett, Mbemba, Yedlin, Tiote, Atsu, Murphy.

HULL CITY: Jakupovic; Elmohamady, Maguire, Dawson, Robertson; Meyler, Huddlestone, Livermore; Diomande, Mbokani, Snodgrass. Subs: Marshall, Davies, Weir, Henriksen, Tymon, Bowen, Olley.