Kehrer gets the call as Moyes makes one change

By Hughie Southon

Hammers boss David Moyes has made  one change to the team which started the 2-0 home win over Everton a fortnight ago as he seeks his 250th Premier League victory as a manager at Newcastle United.

Injured Kurt Zouma is replaced by Thilo Kehrer in the back-three in the only switch from the victory over the Toffees at London Stadium.

The Hammers arrive at St James’ Park having won and kept clean sheets in three of their previous four matches and having lost just one of the last five in all competitions.

However, with just one away victory and five points from ten away matches played in the Premier League this season, a big change in approach is required.

Moyes has fielded a basically defensive formation with just three out and out affacking players on the field – Bowen, Benrahma and Antonio although it remains to be seen what role is handed to Paqueta.

Kehrer joins Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd in the back three, with Vladimír Coufal and Emerson Palmieri filling the wing-back positions.

Ahead of them, captain Declan Rice anchors the midfield against the same opposition he scored against in a 2-0 home Premier League win in March 2019.

 Danny Ings, who has recovered from the minor knee injury he suffered on debut against Everton, is included on the bench whilst for Newcastle, new signing Anthony Gordon is among the replacements following his transfer from Everton, but there is no place in the 20 for former Hammer Harrison Ashby.